Some of the greatest nursing schools in the US are located in Florida, and their top-notch curricula prepare students for prosperous careers in the medical field. Associate Degrees in Nursing (ADN), Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), and higher degrees such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) are among the recognized nursing programs available to aspiring nurses. The Best nursing schools in Florida are thoroughly reviewed in this article, along with information on their curriculum, accreditation, prerequisites for entrance, and employment prospects.
Here’s a list of the best Nursing Schools in Florida:
Florida State University
A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree with many concentration choices, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program are among the programs offered by FSU College of Nursing to prospective nurses. Students can enroll in the BSN program during the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The institution has been preparing more than 7,000 nurses for prosperous careers in healthcare for more than 70 years by offering demanding clinical, educational, and research experiences. The first-time NCLEX-RN pass percentage at Florida State University is 95%.
Jacksonville University Kegwin School of Nursing
Best nursing schools in Florida, Baptist Medical Center approached JU about establishing a nursing school because of a nursing shortage in Jacksonville. The curriculum was developed with assistance from a Baptist Medical Center advisory committee. In 1982, the Florida Board of Nursing issued Provisional Approval. In 1983, the first class was accepted. The institution provides doctorate, master’s, bachelor’s, and certificate programs. The first-time NCLEX-RN pass percentage at the Kegwin School of Nursing is 84%.
Florida International University
In 2006, the old School of Nursing and the College of Health Sciences merged to establish FIU’s College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Its historical origins, however, date back to 1972. Thirty programs leading to bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees as well as specialist certificates are available at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences. The college established the first physician-to-nurse education program in the country using international education. It boasts an 88% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN and is ranked #47 among the top nursing schools for its Master’s degrees by U.S. News & World.
University of Florida
By launching Florida’s first nurse practitioner programs and the Ph.D. in Nursing Science degree, the College of Nursing at UF has led the way in nursing education. Comprehensive and integrated care is provided via UF’s healthcare delivery networks, which include community hospitals, clinics, home healthcare services, a veterans’ health system, and the UF Health Shands Hospital system. The state’s first master’s and doctorate programs were started at UF.
The institution is now in the top 4% of nursing schools that give bachelor degrees and routinely ranks in the top 10% of nursing schools in the country that grant graduate degrees. The highest-ranking DNP program in Florida is offered by the UF College of Nursing. UF has a 93% first-time pass percentage on the NCLEX-RN.
Florida Atlantic University
The only college in the United States to have all of its degree programs approved by the American Holistic Nursing Credentialing Corporation is Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. There are four programs offered by the college: BSN, MSN, DNP, and PhD. According to the U.S. World & News Report 2023, it is ranked #17 among the top online Master of Nursing in Administration programs. The tenet of the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing is caring. The institution has designated areas for meditation and self-renewal in keeping with its compassionate ethos. Florida Atlantic University boasts a 100% Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) certification pass rate and an 82.8% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate.
Nova Southeastern University
Four PhD programs, seven Master’s programs, and two BSN programs are available at the NSU Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing. The institution offers cutting-edge resources, such as clinical practice areas and simulation labs, where students may obtain practical experience and hone their abilities. Scholarships are funded by alumni, state assistants, and hospital partners. The institution invites students to take part in a variety of outreach activities and projects because it places a strong emphasis on community participation. The first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN at the NSU Ron and Kathy Assaf College of Nursing is 85%.
University of Miami
The University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS), which was founded in 1948, provides recognized programs in public health, nursing, and health sciences. The programs offer access to a network of more than 200 clinical, charity, and international partner locations and adjust to changing requirements. At the cutting-edge Simulation Hospital Advancing Research and Education (S.H.A.R.E.™), students receive outstanding experiential learning.
It is a five-story, 41,000-square-foot worldwide center for life science technologies, research, and teaching based on simulation. The University of Miami touts 100% pass rates on the nurse anesthesia certification test and nearly flawless first-time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN (94.6%).
University of Central Florida
With both conventional and online programs, UCF College of Nursing, which has been teaching nurses since 1979, provides top-notch nursing education from the bachelor to the doctoral levels in Central Florida and beyond. Being the first in Florida to provide an online RN to BSN program, the first to launch an online PhD program for nurse scientists, and the first to launch a graduate program focused on healthcare simulation are just a few examples of the college’s history of groundbreaking accomplishments in nursing education.
University of South Florida
The University of South Florida has 14 colleges, including the College of Nursing, which was founded in 1973. With the help of the Florida State Legislature, the institution is addressing the nurse shortage issue by increasing undergraduate nursing education. According to the world rankings, the College of Nursing is placed No. 67 for the Doctor of Nursing Practice program and No. 42 for the master’s degree. Inter professional education (IPE) is a crucial part of health professional education for nursing students and those pursuing medically related fields at USF Health.
With more than 1,000 physicians and 30 specialties, it is the only academic medical institution in the area and provides top-notch care. The first-time NCLEX-RN pass percentage at the University of South Florida is 90%.
University of Tampa
Providing nursing science programs at several educational levels (baccalaureate, master’s, and doctorate) that prepare graduates to enter and progress in the field of professional nursing practice is the primary goal of the Department of Nursing. A secure learning environment that mimics hospital and long-term care situations is provided by the university’s Nursing Skills and Simulation Laboratory. The on-campus lab has real medical equipment and supplies, including an intensive care unit with emergency supplies. With a 100% current NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate, UT’s nursing students often outperform both state and national first-time pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination.
Conclusion
Best nursing schools in Florida prepare students for prosperous careers in healthcare by offering top-notch instruction and hands-on training. With programs that range from BSN to DNP, students may take advantage of a robust curriculum, knowledgeable instructors, and excellent NCLEX-RN pass rates. Program design, accreditation, and employment prospects are all important factors to take into account while selecting a school. The increasing need for qualified nursing practitioners may be met by graduates.