Best Nursing Schools in Florida: if you are looking for the best nursing schools in the US and the best nursing programs in the US, this guide shows you the best colleges for nurses in Florida, USA.

This guides you to choose a credible school that will train you on how to become a nurse in Florida.

Ready?

Let’s get the ball rolling!!!

Are There Nursing Jobs In Florida?

Florida is a good place to work as a nurse due to the ease of getting nursing jobs. There are 21.84 employed nurses for every 1,000 jobs in Florida. This is higher than the national average.

What this means is that Florida has a great nursing job outlook and is a great place to start a nursing career.

What Requirements Do I Need To Apply To Nursing Schools In Florida?

The requirements to apply to any of the colleges for nurses in Florida include;

ACT and/or SAT scores
College entrance essay(s)
Letter(s) of recommendation
High school transcript (GPA).

Keep in mind that this is no one size fits all requirement. Any additional requirements will be school-specific, so it’s advisable to check each school’s website before applying.

Important Considerations When Choosing A Nursing School In Florida

When considering a school to enroll in to study nursing, recommendations alone are not enough to make your decision.

Here are the factors you must consider before choosing a nursing school in FL:

NCLEX pass rate
Program outcomes
Cost of living on-campus or in the area
Type of program (BSN or associate degree)
Distance from hospitals for clinical practice
School and nursing program acceptance rate
Annual tuition and total nursing program cost
Financial aid, scholarships, and grants offered
School accreditation (regional and national).

ALSO READ: Best Nursing Schools in California 2023 | A Detailed Guide

Top 10 Best Nursing Schools in Florida Today

Now let’s take a dive into the best schools and colleges for nurses in Florida. Keep in mind that the choice of schools was based on the NCLEX pass rate, tuition, acceptance rate, and accreditation from ACEN or CCNE.

Here are the best nursing schools in Florida;

1. University of Florida: UF College of Nursing

Tuition Per Year: $6,380
Location: Gainesville, FL.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 95.93%.
No Financial Aid Available: 26.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (Yes)

The University of Florida is one of the top nursing schools in the US due to its exceptional program. This is one of the best nursing schools in Florida, USA.

UF College of Nursing offers BSN as well as a DNP, BSN-DNP, and Ph.D. nursing programs with an exception of MSN.

The BSN-DNP program is something to note for students looking to get a doctoral degree in a short period of time.

APPLY TO UF NURSING PROGRAM

2. Jacksonville University: Keigwin School of Nursing

Tuition Per Year: $43,520
Location: Jacksonville, FL.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.44%.
No Financial Aid Available: N/A
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (Yes)

Jacksonville University Keigwin School of Nursing is the best university for nursing programs in Florida. As a private school, students enjoy small class sizes but that comes with high tuition.

Nursing program options span from the traditional BSN program to the online RN-BSN degree, RN-MSN program, and graduate degree options for registered nurses (RNs).

APPLY TO JU KEIGWIN SCHOOL OF NURSING PROGRAM

3. University of Miami

NCLEX Pass Rate: 91%.
Tuition Per Year: $55,440
No Financial Aid Available: None
Location: Coral Gables, Miami, FL.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (Yes)

The University of Miami is one of the best nursing schools in Florida that is a private school. The school has a track record and an excellent reputation regardless of its high cost of tuition.

Its nursing programs include BSN, MSN, and DNP programs including other specializations which prepare students to pass any exams after graduation.

APPLY TO UM NURSING PROGRAM

4. Florida State University College of Nursing

NCLEX Pass Rate: 93%.
Tuition Per Year: $5,616
Location: Tallahassee, FL.
No Financial Aid Available: 17.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (No)

Florida State University College of Nursing is one of the cheapest nursing schools in Florida. Its low in-state tuition is a great attraction for nursing students.

Florida State University College of Nursing offers accelerated BSN: a full-time one-year program and MSN Nurse Leadership which prepares nurses to become leaders in their workplaces. This is one of the best nursing schools in Florida, USA.

If you’re looking at starting a career as soon as you graduate, Florida State University College of Nursing is the school you’re looking for.

APPLY TO FSU COLLEGE OF NURSING PROGRAM

5. University of South Florida College Of Nursing

Location: Tampa, FL.
Tuition Per Year: $6,410
NCLEX Pass Rate: 91.08%.
No Financial Aid Available: N/A.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (Yes)

USF College of Nursing is the ideal school for students who want to join the workforce immediately after graduation. This is one of the best nursing schools in Florida, USA.

Over 90% of nursing graduates from USF College of Nursing at all levels get well-paying jobs at graduation.

Also, if you’re looking at a school that funds student research, USF College of Nursing ranks top for research funding for graduate-level nurses.

APPLY TO USF COLLEGE OF NURSING PROGRAM

6. Nova Southeastern University Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing

Tuition Per Year: $34,500
Location: Ft Lauderdale, FL.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 92.0%.
No Financial Aid Available: 10.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (No), and Bridge (Yes)

Nova Southeastern University college of nursing is known as Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing. Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing is a private, not-for-profit school.

For a private school, NSU Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing comes cheap as there is lots of financial aid for students.

The major nursing program at NSU Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing is the entry BS in Nursing which can be completed in the Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, or Miami campus.

Also, there are many graduate-level nursing programs.

APPLY TO NSU RON AND KATHY ASSAF COLLEGE OF NURSING

7. University of Central Florida College of Nursing

Location: Orlando, FL.
Tuition Per Year: $5,954
NCLEX Pass Rate: 97.0%.
No Financial Aid Available: 8.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (Yes)

UCF College of Nursing is also one of the cheapest nursing schools in Florida as well as one of the best nursing schools in the US.

This is so because its nursing programs are accessible, especially for online students and veterans.

The major nursing program at UCF College of Nursing is the traditional BSN.

APPLY TO UCF COLLEGE OF NURSING PROGRAM

8. Florida Southern College

Location: Lakeland, FL.
Tuition Per Year: $52,900
NCLEX Pass Rate: 94.44%.
No Financial Aid Available: N/A
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (No), Online (No), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (No)

Florida Southern College is a small school with just 3,000 students and as such, there are not many degree options for nurses.

The few nursing programs include the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program which is a leadership-focused program and the MSN program which trains nurses to become nurse practitioners or nurse educators.

Also, there is the MSN/Administrative Leadership track and certificate option and a direct-entry BSN.

APPLY TO FLORIDA SOUTHERN COLLEGE NURSING PROGRAM

9. University of North Florida School of Nursing

Tuition Per Year: $21,730
Location: Jacksonville, FL.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 93.0%.
No Financial Aid Available: 16.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (Yes)

UNF School of Nursing is a public school and one of the beta nursing schools in the US that trains you on how to become a nurse in Florida.

The University of North Florida School of Nursing offers 4 BSN track options, an accelerated BSN, and 4 graduate degree tracks.

One reason to study at the University of North Florida School of Nursing is the unalloyed attention teachers give to their students. Also, the tuition is incredibly low for in-state students.

APPLY TO UNF SCHOOL OF NURSING

10. Florida International University

Tuition Per Year: $23,997
Location: Gainesville, FL.
NCLEX Pass Rate: 89.0%.
No Financial Aid Available: N/A.
Mode of Nursing Program Offered: Traditional (Yes), Online (Yes), Accelerated (Yes), and Bridge (No)

Florida International University has one of the beta nursing programs in the US. FIU is quite a large school with a student population of over 54,000 students.

Its nursing program includes a strong BSN program and a Nurse Anesthetist program. At FIU, students who become certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNA) through the NA program are also given an MSN.

Also, Florida International University is also Florida’s only public research school which makes it a good option for graduate nursing students.

APPLY TO FIU NURSING PROGRAM

ALSO READ: Best Nursing Schools in Colorado 2023 | A Detailed Guide

FAQs on The Best Nursing Schools In Florida

How Many Nurses Are In Florida?

Florida is one of the highest employers of nurses in the US.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, currently, there are 187,920 nurses employed in Florida making it the fourth highest in the nation.

How Much Do Nurses Earn In Florida State?

Although nurses are most employed in Florida, the salary structure of nurses is poor.

Nurses in Florida earn an annual wage of $72,000 in May 2021 according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics which is lower than the nation’s mean wage of $77,600.

However, the wage nurses might earn depends on where they live.

Which Areas In Florida Do Nurses Earn More?

According to the BLS, nurses in Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach earn an average annual salary of $74,220, while nurses in Panama City earn about $68,820.

What this means is that depending on location, the salary range may increase or decrease.

What Accreditation Bodies Are In Charge Of Nursing Schools In Florida?

The official accrediting bodies for nursing schools in Florida are;

– Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)
– Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

How Do I Get a License in Florida To Practice Nursing?

Florida is part of the Enhanced Nursing Licensure Compact (eNLC), hence your Florida nursing license allows you to work as a nurse in 37 other states and two territories.

But first, you have to get your nursing license.
To get your FL nursing license, you’ll need to:

– Take and pass the NCLEX-RN
– Pass a criminal background check and submit your fingerprints
– Apply to become a nurse via the Florida Board of Nursing

Conclusion

There you have it; the top 10 best Best Nursing Schools in Florida, USA. It is my belief that this article answered your questions about the Best Nursing programs in the US.

If you have any further questions, do well to leave them in the comments.

References

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