Becoming an RN in Florida

There are many paths to becoming an RN. You are eligible for licensure in Florida if you have graduated from either an approved or accredited program. This may be at the ADN or BSN level. A program is approved if it is located within Florida’s borders and if it meets the guidelines set by the state. An accredited program, on the other hand, may have its physical address within another state. This is particularly common in the modern internet world; there are many online programs that allow practicing health professionals to pursue higher degrees and higher levels of certification. If a program is not located within Florida, it must meet the standards of a recognized credentialing body and if it is a pre-licensure program, meet the approval of the Florida State Board of Nursing. A petition will need to be submitted and approved.

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In addition to completing a pre-licensure nursing degree program, you will need to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Schools are required to report their pass rates, so this is one factor you may take into account when choosing schools. Florida schools had an over 90% first time pass rate, according to data linked to by the Florida Board of Nursing.

RN Career and Education Pathways

If nursing is your second career, you may be able to earn your degree in a much shorter space of time. Schools like the University of Miami have accelerated second degree BSN programs that can be completed in as little as one year.

If you are certified as a vocational nurse, you may also have a shortened path to state licensure. Many schools in the state have voluntary articulation agreements. There are both LPN to ADN and LPN to BSN options.

Registered Nursing Career Outlook in Florida

How easy will it be to find a job after graduation? The Florida Center for Nursing addressed workforce issues in a series of 2010 reports. They noted that the recession had temporarily staved off a nursing crisis as more nurses were opting to delay retirement or pick up additional shifts. Long term, though, demand was still expected to exceed supply. The population as a whole is aging, and so are the nurses that care for them. Many will be retiring in the coming years. Less certain is the impact of recent legislation. Healthcare reform may increase the need for advanced practice nurses, and this may in turn increase vacancies at the RN level.

The reports noted that healthcare and education have remained comparative bright spots even in difficult times. According to the FCN, the hiring situation varied greatly from facility to facility with some reporting that they had little turnover or a wealth of applicants, and others reporting that recruitment still posed a challenge.

Your success will depend in part on where your interests and aptitudes lay. In 2007, the highest RN vacancy rates were found in home health care; here the vacancy rate was a shocking 14%. Skilled nursing facilities followed close behind. By 2009, vacancy rates had gone down to below 9% — a probable result of the recession — but nearly half of skilled nursing facilities still reported difficulty recruiting RNs. Most of the new jobs created between 2009 and 2011 were expected to be outside of hospital settings.

The Nursing School Application Process

During 2008 to 2009, nearly half of qualified applicants were turned away from registered nursing programs, despite the fact that there was a shortage. Part of the reason for that is that nursing schools don’t have the capacity. How can you increase your chances of getting in to a program? Professional nursing programs do have science prerequisites, and they are often at a higher level than those required for practical nurses. Your grades in these courses can be very important. BSN level nurses are frequently called upon to be leaders. An advisor for the Health Occupations Students Association notes that schools like well rounded candidates who have demonstrated leadership ability.

Do remember that there are a lot of schools out there to apply to. The Florida Board currently lists 29 in-state BSN programs. There were nearly 100 at the ADN level — and these figures don’t take into account online LPN to RN programs offered by institutions in other states.

Associate Degree Nursing Programs Approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing

Brown Mackie College – Miami

The Brown Mackie College Associate’s in Nursing program is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing.

City College

The City College Associate’s of Science in Nursing programs offered at the Miami and Fort Lauderdale campuses are approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing.

Concorde Career Institute – Nursing

Concorde offers an Associate’s Degree in Nursing and a Practical Nursing program at their Jacksonville,FL campus. Learn more about these programs today.

Fortis Institute – Pensacola

The Fortis Institute Associate’s in Nursing program is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing.

Keiser University

The Keiser University Associate’s in Nursing programs listed below are either approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing or accredited by the CCNE or NLNAC.

Brevard Community College – Palm Bay Campus (ADN)
250 Community College Parkway Palm Bay 32909- (321) 632-1111

Brevard Community College (ADN)
1519 Clearlake Road Cocoa 32922

Broward Community College (ADN) Central Campus

3501 Southwest Davie Road Davie 33314

Broward Community College (ADN) North Campus
1000 Coconut Creek Blvd, Bldg 41 Coconut Creek 33066

Broward Community College (ADN) South Campus
7200 Hollywood Blvd Pembrooke 33024
(305) 963-8850

Central Florida Community College (ADN)
3001 SW College Road
Ocala 34474

Central Florida Community College (ADN) – Citrus County Campus
3800 South Lecanto Hwy Lecanto 34461
(352) 746-6721

Chipola College (ADN)
3094 Indian Circle Marianna 32446
(850) 526-2761

City College (ADN) 2000 West Commercial Blvd
Fort Lauderdale 33309
(954) 492-5353

Daytona Beach Community College – Flagler Palm
Coast (ADN)
3000 Palm Coast Parkway Southeast Palm Coast 32137
(386) 246-4800

Daytona Beach Community College – South (ADN)
940 Tenth Street
New Smyrna 32168
(386) 427-3472

Daytona Beach Community College – West (ADN)
1155 County Road 4139 DeLand 32724
(386) 785-2000

Daytona Beach Community College (ADN)
1200 West International Speedway Blvd Daytona Beach 32130-2811
(386) 255-8131

Edison Community College (ADN) Charlotte Center
26300 Airport Road
Punta Gorda 33950
(941) 637-5629

Edison Community College (ADN) Collier Center
7007 Lely Cultural Parkway Naples 34113
(239) 732-3737

Edison Community College (ADN) Lee Center
8099 College Parkway S.W. Fort Myers 33919-3566
(239) 489-9239

Florida Community College at Jacksonville (ADN)
4501 Capper Road Jacksonville 32218-4499 (904) 766-6582

Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences (ADN)
671 Winyah Drive Orlando 32803
(407) 303-9798

Florida Keys Community College – Middle Keys (ADN)
Marathon HS, 900 Sombrero Beach Rd
Marathon 33050
(305) 296-9081

Florida Keys Community College – Upper Keys (ADN)
Coral Shores HS, 89951 US Hwy 1
Tavernier 33070
(305) 296-9081

Florida Keys Community College (ADN)
5901 West College Road
Key West 33040
(305) 296-9081

Florida Metropolitan University 3924 Coconut Palm Drive Tampa 33619
(813) 621-0041

Galen Health Institute of Tampa Bay, Inc. (ADN)
9549 Koger Blvd, Suite 100 St. Petersburg 33702
(727) 577-1497

Gulf Coast Community College (ADN)
5230 West Highway 98 Panama City 32401-1058
(850) 913-3317

Herzing College (A.D.N.)
1595 S. Semoran Blvd,
Winter Park 32792
(407) 478-0500

Hillsborough Community College – Plant City (ADN)
1206 N Park Road Plant City 33563
(813) 757-2103

Hillsborough Community College – Tampa (ADN)
4001 Tampa Bay Blvd.
Tampa 33614
(813) 253-7268

Indian River Community College (ADN)
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce 34981
(772) 462-4778

Lake City Community College (ADN)
149 SE College Place
Lake City 32025
(386) 752-1822

Lake-Sumter Community College – South Lake
1250 North Hancock Road Clermont 34711
(352) 536-2121

Lake-Sumter Community College (ADN)
9501 U.S. Highway 441 Leesburg 34788-8751
(352) 365-3540

Manatee Community College (ADN)
8000 Tamiami Trail Venice 34293
(941) 408-1300

Manatee Community College (ADN)
5840 26th Street West Bradenton 34207
(941) 752-5000

Miami-Dade College – Homestead (ADN)
500 College Terrace Homestead 33030
(305) 237-5000

Miami-Dade College (ADN) 950 N.W. 20th Street
Miami 33127-3636
(305) 237-4101

North Florida Community College (ADN)
325 NW Turner Davis Drive Madison 32340
(850) 973-2288

Okaloosa-Walton College (ADN)
100 College Blvd
Niceville 32578-1295
(850) 729-6922

Palm Beach Community College (ADN)
4200 Congress Avenue
Lake Worth 33461-4796
(561) 439-8092

Pasco-Hernando Community College (ADN) East Campus
36727 Blanton Road
Dade City 33523
(352) 567-6701

Pasco-Hernando Community College (ADN) North Campus
11415 Ponce de Leon Blvd. Brooksville 34601-2098
(352) 796-6726

Pasco-Hernando Community College (ADN) West Campus 10230 Ridge Road
New Port Richey 34654-5199
(727) 816-3280

Pensacola Junior College (ADN)
5555 West Highway 98 Pensacola 32507
(850) 484-2254

Polk Community College (ADN)
999 Avenue H.N.E.
Winter Haven 33881
(863) 297-1039

Santa Fe Community College (ADN)
3000 N.W. 83rd St. Gainesville 32606
(352) 395-5589

Seminole Community College (ADN)
100 Weldon Boulevard Sanford 32773-6199
(407) 328-2014

South Florida Community College (ADN)
600 West College Drive Avon Park 33825-9356
(863) 453-6661

St. John’s River Community College – Orange
Park (ADN)
2001 Kingsley Avenue Orange Park 32073-5148
(386) 312-4176

St. John’s River Community College (ADN)
5001 St. Johns Avenue Palatka 32177-3897
(904) 312-4176

St. Petersburg College (ADN) P.O. Box 13489
St. Petersburg 33733
(727) 341-3618

Tallahassee Community College (ADN)
4444 Appleyard Drive Tallahassee 32308-2895
(850) 922-8155

Valencia Community College (ADN)
1800 South Kirkman Road Orlando 32811
(407) 299-5000

Webster College (A.D.N.)
2221 SW 19th Avenue Road Ocala 34474
(352) 629-1941

BSN Programs Approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing

South University | BSN Program

School Branding

The programs offered at South University are approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing, which means you are getting the most current and respected BSN level education in the State of Florida. the BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the University itself is accredited by the Commission on Colleges, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Graduates of this BSN program are eligible for the NCLEX exam. South University is accepting applications now, so contact them today!

Programs Offered: BSN

Chamberlain College of Nursing

School Branding

The BSN program offered by Chamberlain College of Nursing is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing. Graduates of this BSN program are eligible for the the Florida licensure exam.

Programs Offered: BSN

5200 Belfort Road, Suite 100, Jacksonville, FL 32256

Remington College of Nursing

The Remington College of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor’s in Nursing program is approved by the Florida State Board of Nursing. Graduates are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam.

Remington College of Nursing, 660 Century Point Suite 1050, Lake Mary, FL 32746

Barry University College of Health Sciences – Division of Nursing

School Branding

The BSN program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The MSN programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Barry University accepts applications year-round, click below to request information and program materials.

Programs Offered: BSN, LPN-to-BSN, RN-to-BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN/BSN-to-MSN, Part-Time MSN – (Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator), Accelerated RN to MSN, RN to MSN Bridge (RN with baccalaureate in another field to MSN), Post-Master’s Certificate (Tracks: Acute Care NP, Family NP, Nursing Administration), PhD in Nursing

Barry University College of Health Sciences, Health Sciences Admissions, 11300 N.E. Second Avenue, Miami Shores, FL 33161-6695

University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies

School Branding

The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies is fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education for both the undergraduate and graduate programs. The anesthesia program is accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Programs. The nurse-midwifery program is accredited by the American College of Nursing-Midwives.

Programs Offered: BSN, Second Degree BSN, Accelerated BSN, RN to BSN, MSN – (Tracks: Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Midwifery, Acute Care NP, Adult NP, Family NP, Blended Role Psychiatric/Mental Health Specialist, Women’s Health NP), PhD Nursing, Graduate Certificates: Education or Research

University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, P.O. Box 248153, Coral Gables, FL 33124

Barry University (BSN)
11300 N.E. 2nd Avenue Miami Shores 33161-6695
(305) 899-3800

Bethune-Cookman College (BSN)
640 Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Boulevard
Daytona Beach 32114-3099 (386) 481-2000

Florida A & M University (BSN)
103 Ware-Rhaney Bldg Tallahassee 32307
(850) 599-3017

Florida Atlantic University (BSN)
777 Glades Road Boca Raton 33431-0991
(561) 297-3887

Florida Gulf Coast University (BSN)
10501 FGCU Blvd
South Fort Myers 33965-6565
(239) 590-7454

Florida Gulf Coast University (BSN)
10501 FGCU Blvd South Fort Myers 33965-6565
(239) 590-7454

Florida International University (BSN)
University Park Campus, HLS @ Bldg, SW 8th Street
11200 Miami 33199
(305) 348-2000

Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive Brandon 33801
(863) 680-3860

Florida State University (BSN)
102 Duxbury Hall Tallahassee 32306-4310
(850) 644-3299

Jacksonville University (BSN)
2800 University Boulevard North Jacksonville 32277-1250
(904) 256-7280

Nova Southeastern University (BSN)
3200 South University Drive
Fort Lauderdale 33328-2018
(954) 262-1962

Palm Beach Atlantic University (BSN)
Box 24708
West Palm Beach 33416-4708
(561) 803-2000

Pensacola Christian College (BSN)
250 Brent Lane Pensacola 32503
(850) 478-8496

South University – Tampa (BSN)
4401 North Himes Avenue, Suite 175
Tampa 33615-7095
(813) 393-3800

South University (BSN)
1760 North Congress Avenue West Palm Beach 33409
(561) 697-9200

University of Central Florida (BSN)
P.O. Box 162210 – HPA I, 220
Orlando 32816-2210
(407) 823-2744

University of Florida (BSN)
P.O. Box 100197, JHMHC
Gainesville 32610-0187
(352) 273-6001

University of Florida (BSN)
653-1 Weight Street Bldg 1 2 Floor
Jacksonville, FL 32209-5127
(904) 244-5127

University of Miami (BSN) 5801 Red Road
Coral Gables 33143
(305) 284-3666

University of North Florida (BSN)
4567 St. John’s Bluff Road South
Jacksonville, FL 32224-2673
(904) 620-2684

University of South Florida (BSN)
12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
Tampa 32612-4799
(813) 974-2191

University of Tampa (BSN)
401 West Kennedy Blvd Tampa 33606-1490
(813) 253-6223

University of West Florida (BSN)
11000 University Parkway Pensacola 32514
(850) 494-3802