Best nursing schools in Florida

Finding the right nursing school can be difficult. There are many factors to consider, such as the location of the college and the cost of tuition. There is no shortage of colleges and universities that offer nursing programs in the state of Florida. But prospective students need to understand that not all nursing schools are created equal. With that said, you will understand how important this list of the best Nursing schools in Florida can help you reduce stress and allow you to focus on other important things.

In this blog, we will discuss the best nursing schools in Florida. We have selected these schools based on their tuition, student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rates, NCLEX pass rates, and acceptance rates. We will list the accredited nursing schools in Florida and what you need to have in mind when choosing a Nursing school in Florida.

Best nursing schools in Florida

What should I look out for when choosing a Nursing School?

The best nursing school in Florida may not be the right fit for everyone. In the state of Florida, you will find a variety of nursing schools, some public and some private. If you are looking for a nursing school that meets your needs, consider many factors. First and foremost, when looking at nursing schools in Florida, you want to make sure the school is accredited. The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) are two accreditation bodies that oversee nursing schools in Florida.

You want to make sure that your school is accredited by one of these organizations and that more than one board member is present at all times to approve any changes made to the curriculum or teaching methods used by the faculty. Another important factor to consider when reviewing nursing schools in Florida is each school’s reputation. An internet search can help you find reviews from other students who have attended each school to get an idea of their experience while studying there. You should also contact each school’s alumni association to speak with former students and get their opinion on the quality of education they received at that institution.

By talking with former students and finding out about their experiences. It’s also important to make sure that the program you choose is approved by the state nursing board, as you will need this approval if you want to become licensed as a nurse in Florida. Finally, it’s worth considering how long it will take to complete your degree, including how many hours of clinical experience you’ll need and whether or not you’ll have time for other things such as employment or family obligations.

Nursing school can be difficult to get into sometimes, however, here is a list of the Easiest Nursing Schools to Get into in 2022.

Why Florida?

Florida offers a wealth of top-notch nursing programs. U.S. News & World Report ranks the state’s public and private institutions among the best in the nation for nursing, and the Commission accredits more than 40 nursing schools in Florida on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Florida nurses find career opportunities in hospitals, doctor’s offices, schools, and many other settings. And while some jobs are better suited to new graduates, others require advanced degrees or specialized training. Let’s take a look at some of Florida’s best nursing programs and how they prepare you for your career.

The Florida State Board of Nursing requires you to hold a high school diploma or equivalent and to have completed required prerequisite courses, including anatomy, physiology, microbiology, and nutrition. You must take the TEAS exam and apply for admission, including a criminal background check.

Some bodies in Florida may be willing to sponsor your education to study in Florida. Check out the Florida bright Futures Scholarship for details.

Online Nursing Degrees

There are more than 150 nursing schools in Florida, so it’s important to know what you’re looking for. The most basic distinction to make is between accredited nursing schools and non-accredited programs. Accreditation is important because it indicates that a school meets certain quality standards. You’ll need to attend an accredited program in order to be eligible for federal financial aid, for example. If you want to move on to graduate school, you’ll need a degree from an accredited program. And if you want to sit for the NCLEX exam that lets you begin your career as a registered nurse, you’ll need an associate or bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Many people seeking nursing degrees are also focused on cost and convenience. Online nursing programs offer both, but again, be sure the program is accredited — otherwise, all of the time and money you put into your studies will go toward a degree that can’t help you with your career goals. All of the online nursing schools in Florida offer RN to BSN programs. These programs are designed to provide registered nurses with advanced education in their field. Graduates of these programs may be qualified for leadership positions or supervisory roles in their field.

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List of Schools that Offer Online Nursing in Florida

  • University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies
  • University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Orlando
  • University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa
  • University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville
  • Nova Southeastern University College of Nursing, Fort Lauderdale

Top Ten Accredited and Best Nursing Schools in Florida.

1. Florida International University School of Nursing & Health Sciences, Miami

The University of Miami School of Nursing & Health Studies is ranked 30th by U.S. News & World Report and is named a Center of Excellence in Nursing Education by the National League for Nursing (NLN). The school has five different programs for students, including Accelerated BSN, Traditional BSN, RN-BSN, MSN, and DNP degree programs. They also offer an impressive selection of specialties, including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse practitioners, Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, and more. All students

The school’s nursing programs are available at the undergraduate, graduate, and certificate levels. BSN program options include a generic track and an RN to BSN track. The generic BSN program is open to students who have not yet completed an associate degree in nursing (ADN). The RN to BSN program, which requires an ADN or equivalent from a regionally accredited institution, provides foundational coursework in research methods and statistics and two clinical practicums. Graduate programs include MSN options for both entry-level and experienced nurses.

Students can choose from three different MSN tracks: nurse educator, nurse administrator, and health systems management. A post-master’s certificate option is available for nurses who hold an MSN but wish to change their focus area without pursuing another full degree.

2. Barry University, Miami Shores

Barry University is a private university located in Miami Shores, Florida. It has one of the best nursing schools in Florida. It was founded in 1940 by Rev. Patrick Barry. The university has a total enrollment of more than 9,000 students, with 6,000 of them attending undergraduate school. Barry University is accredited and approved by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACSCOC). The institution provides over 100 degree programs ranging from Bachelors to PhD. Barry University boasts almost 7,000 students, 54 buildings on campus, a Tallahassee branch campus, an Orlando law school, and 50,000 alumni.

Barry University offers more than 50 regular undergraduate programs, accelerated bachelor’s programs for working people, and more than 40 graduate programs (many with evening/weekend classes). The student-to-faculty ratio was 12:1 as of 2019.

3. University of Central Florida College of Nursing, Orlando. 

The University of Central Florida College of Nursing is a public university in Orlando, Florida, that offers an online master of science in nursing for aspiring nurse administrators. It also provides an RN-BSN track. The school’s traditional MSN program includes nursing administration and nursing education concentrations, but the online degree focuses on health services administration. The curriculum provides nurses with the skills needed to lead change within healthcare organizations and the knowledge required to work effectively with diverse populations.

The online MSN program at the Central Florida College of Nursing comprises 39 credit hours, including core courses like health policy and economics, marketing management in healthcare settings, and evidence-based practice in advanced nursing practice. Before graduating, students must complete a practicum — three credits of fieldwork in healthcare settings. All students must also complete a capstone project that incorporates knowledge gained throughout the program.

Applicants must have current RN licensure before enrolling in any coursework. Central Florida College of Nursing is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

4. University of South Florida College of Nursing, Tampa

The University of South Florida College of Nursing was established in 1973, with its first class of students enrolling in the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. A Master of Science in Nursing program was established in 1980, followed by a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 1997 and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program in 2005. The accelerated second bachelor’s sequence is now available at all three campuses: Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee.

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Registered nurses can earn a bachelor’s degree in patient and staff education, leadership and management, or clinical excellence through the college’s online RN to BSN program. Veteran medics and corpsmen can become nurses under the VBSN V-CARE program. Adult gerontology primary care, adult gerontology acute care, family health, nursing education, occupational health/adult-gerontology primary care, and pediatric health is among the concentrations available in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program, which also includes a concurrent Master of Public Health/MSN in adult-gerontology primary care.

The University of South Florida College of Nursing is one of the best nursing schools in Florida and offers two doctoral programs: the PhD and the DNP. Nurse scientists who complete a PhD program are prepared to conduct research, publish scholarly work, and teach at research-intensive universities. The DNP program, which offers advanced practice residency possibilities in primary care, was the first of its kind to be approved by the Florida Board of Governors. Students who complete the DNP in Nurse Anesthesia are prepared to work as certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs).

5. University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville

The University of Florida is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Commission accredits UF’s online nursing programs on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The College of Nursing at the University of Florida offers an RN-BSN track that can be completed entirely online. Students who have already earned an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing are eligible to apply to this program, which can be completed in two semesters, taking a full-time course load.

UF encourages students to get involved with various student organizations during their time at the university, including the Student Nurses Association and a chapter of Sigma Theta Tau International. The college also has NCAHN, a student-run organization for those interested in becoming Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN). Florida has an estimated 14,000 RN to BSN students enrolled in RN to BSN or accelerated BSN programs.

6. Palm Beach Atlantic University

PBA offers some of Florida’s most prestigious nursing programs, complete with world-class labs and facilities and opportunities to put your nursing abilities to use (BSN). Florida Atlantic University is ranked No. 5 (tie) in Best Master’s Nursing Schools and No. 7 (tie) in Best Doctor of Nursing Practice Nursing Schools. Schools are ranked based on their performance on a set of widely regarded excellence factors. With a baccalaureate degree (BSN) in nursing, the PBA R.N. to B.S.N. Online Nursing B.S.N. The program allows you to do more by preparing you to serve the world at a higher level.

The Palm Beach Atlantic University School of Nursing aims to prepare graduates for a life of service in the nursing profession both within and outside the United States. This is one of the best nursing schools in Florida. Palm Beach Atlantic University offers the only nationally approved Christian nursing program in Florida. Their alumni have a remarkable success record of up to 89 percent on the NCLEX.

7. University of Tampa

The sciences allow for research and discovery in the pursuit of new knowledge, a greater understanding of physical and natural processes, and a better grasp of the human condition. Now is a better time than ever to obtain a degree in science, health care, or athletic studies with the world’s issues. The demand for scientists, technologists and carers is enormous. The College of Natural and Health Sciences provides students with demanding, high-quality courses that prepare them for the challenges and possibilities that lie ahead.

The baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs at the University of Tampa prepare students to react to various healthcare demands. Nursing graduates will be able to pursue various stimulating and rewarding occupations. The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is designed for individuals who do not have any college credit. Adult gerontology and family nurse practitioner concentrations are available in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN).

Nursing professors help students prepare for primary care and clinical management positions in pediatrics, adult and family health, geriatrics, women’s health, administration, informatics, education, and other sectors. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program is divided into six semesters and consists of 30 credit hours. advanced practice nursing, population health leadership, and clinical and academic nursing leadership

8. Adventist University of Health Sciences, Orlando

AdventHealth University (AHU) is a Seventh-day Adventist institution with campuses in Orlando, Florida, Denver, Colorado, and online that specializes in healthcare education. It is linked to AdventHealth, a ministry of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It’s part of the Seventh-day Adventist education system, which is the world’s second-largest Christian school system. In Denver, the physical facilities are near AdventHealth Orlando and Centura Health. The university provides more than 20 undergraduate and graduate degrees, ranging from associate to doctoral degrees and online and post-baccalaureate certifications.

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What is now Florida Hospital Medical Center (FHMC) started the Florida Hospital Registered Nursing program in 1913, and it served as a three-year hospital-based nursing training program for the next 70 years. Students from Southern Missionary College in Collegedale, Tennessee, would be sent to Orlando for clinical practice as “pre-nursing” students. Under the support of Southern College, a two-year Associate Degree in Nursing education program was started at FHMC in 1983. The Adventist University of Health Sciences was renamed in August 2012.

SACSCOC granted AHU authorization to provide distant degrees in 2001. A radiography B.S. completion degree was the first program offered entirely off-campus. In 2007, a third B.S. completion program in diagnostic medical sonography was added to the online lineup, following a B.S. completion program in nursing. AHU Online launched an Executive Master of Healthcare Administration program in 2015. (EMHA).

9. Nova Southeastern University College of Nursing, Fort Lauderdale

You’ll acquire a high-quality healthcare education at NSU, which will set you apart. From experienced practitioners who bring case studies to life, you’ll learn how to provide patient-centered care. NSU has graduated over 18,300 health care professionals since 2012, including over 5,500 nurses. There’s a reason why US News & World Report named their program one of the finest in the country.

  • Simulation labs with cutting-edge technology that immerse you in realistic clinical scenarios
  • Clinical experience with a variety of people
  • Personalized assistance from academics with a high level of expertise
  • From entry-level professional practice through terminal PhD nursing practice degrees, nationally accredited programs are available.
  • Programs that are both on-campus and online to meet your schedule.

As more nurses retire and the struggle against a worldwide epidemic continues, they are facing a rising scarcity of nurses. NSU Florida isn’t simply training nurses; it’s also equipping students with the skills they’ll need to meet the healthcare industry’s challenges. Getting a nursing degree will prepare and position you to make a difference, whether you want to work in health care or want to advance in your existing profession.

10. Broward College, Pembroke Pines.

Broward College, located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, is a public institution. It’s a part of the University of Florida system. It was founded in 1959 as part of a push to expand Florida’s two-year college options. It was given its current name in 2008 to reflect that it is one of the few colleges classified as a “state college,” which means it can provide four-year bachelor’s degrees. A four-story University/College library (U/CL) on Broward College’s A Hugh Adams’ Central Campus serves as a joint-use facility for students, faculty, and staff of Florida Atlantic University (FAU) and Broward College (BC).

A reference desk, café, open stacks, archives/special collections, study rooms, learning resource labs (Academic Success Center), interlibrary loan, and a check-out desk are all available at the library. Although many factors contribute to an excellent education, some nursing programs simply stand apart from the rest. As you read through this list of the best nursing schools in the US, remember that a great program is more than just a good reputation or high NCLEX pass rate. Nursing schools educate future nurses in every aspect of patient care. They also prepare students for the various challenges they will face after graduation, helping them to hone their skills and build their confidence.

Conclusion

We hope this guide has helped you to understand what makes a nursing school great and find the right option for you. If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch with us. We’re always happy to help. Here are some of the frequently asked questions about the best nursing schools in Florida.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best nursing school in the US?

The University of Pennsylvania is consistently ranked as one of the best nursing schools in the country. What makes it so special? The combination of top-notch academics and world-class research opportunities is unmatched by any other program available today.

How much does it cost to go to a good nursing school?

The cost of a good nursing school varies greatly depending on where it is located and how long it takes for you to complete your degree.

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