Accelerated BSN Programs in Florida: Fast-Track Online & Campus Nursing Degrees
Find accredited, accelerated BSN programs in Florida near you and learn how they can help you launch your career as a licensed RN in less than two years.
Do you have a bachelor’s degree and want to make a career change? Are you considering becoming a registered nurse to provide vital care to members of your community? Do you want to complete your degree quickly so you can get into the workforce as soon as possible?
If the answer to any of these questions is yes, this is the right time to earn an accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing. According to the Florida Hospital Association, by 2035, the state will face a shortage of 59,000 nurses—putting the health outcomes of the community at risk. By enrolling in an accelerated bachelor’s in nursing program, you can transfer in the general education credits you earned during your first degree and train to become a nurse in less time.
Continue reading to learn more about accelerated BSN programs in Florida. You will find information on the best programs in the state, as well as what your job prospects will look like after you graduate.
A Closer Look at Florida’s Top Accelerated BSN Programs
Top accelerated BSN programs can play an integral role in the training of nurses and go a long way toward alleviating the pressure caused by the state’s nursing shortage — but only if the school is providing the high-quality education nurses must have. The following schools are among the best the state has to offer, so it’s worth your time to find out about their online and hybrid accelerated BSN programs.
Curriculum Overview for Accelerated BSN Program in Florida
Practice as a nurse in Florida and all other states requires state licensing or registration, which, in turn, requires applicants to complete an approved nursing education program and pass a state-approved competency exam. In Florida, nurse licensing and certification is administered by the Florida Board of Nursing, which has strict requirements for nursing education programs. As a result, the curriculums of accredited BSN programs in the state follow a standard structure, all consisting of the following same three fundamental components:
1.Prerequisite Coursework
All programs require students to complete several state-mandated nursing-related prerequisite courses prior to beginning their accelerated BSN curriculum (see the discussion of admission requirements below). The general education requirements that are normally a part of a bachelor’s degree program are satisfied or waived in your accelerated BSN program through the acceptance and transfer process. Any general education deficit is normally made up by completing the needed coursework either before or during the accelerated BSN program.
2.Nursing Classes
All programs require completion of an extensive set of core nursing courses and lab activities covering such topics as health assessment, patient care, research and evidence-based nursing practice, clinical reasoning, pharmacology, and many others. The UWF’s accelerated BSN program curriculum will give you a good idea of the types of classes you’ll be taking in your program. With a few exceptions (see the online program spotlights below), students enrolled in accelerated BSN programs in Florida will complete all of their classes and labs in-person on either their school’s main campus or at a school-affiliated facility.
3.Clinical Training
Nurse licensing and registration in Florida requires students to complete a minimum number of clinical training hours at practice facilities located in and around the school’s local community. These clinical hours allow students to apply the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills they’ve gained in the classroom to real practice settings under the direct supervision of licensed clinical instructors. Check out this webpage from Utica University to learn more about clinical training experiences in an accelerated BSN program.
Additional Accelerated BSN Programs in Florida
To help you continue your program search, we’ve highlighted three additional accelerated BSN programs in Florida below. These selections are based on several important elements, including accreditation, affordability, curriculum comprehensiveness, and the availability of quality student support services. These will give you an idea of what you should expect in terms of academic quality and support from the program you ultimately choose.
FAQs About Accelerated BSN Programs in Florida
How long is an accelerated BSN program in Florida?
Due to the Florida Board of Nursing’s strict guidelines, accelerated BSN programs in Florida follow similarly-structured curriculums consisting of coursework, labs, and clinical hour requirements completed over four consecutive semesters. (For example, programs that start with the fall semester are completed in the following fall semester).
The one exception is Florida International University’s Accelerated Option BSN program, which is three semesters in length but includes an additional “intensive mini semester” of fundamental nursing courses immediately before the program’s first full semester. Since they’re presented in an accelerated format, all programs require full-time study.
How much do BSN programs in Florida cost?
Total program costs for accelerated BSN programs in Florida can vary substantially from program to program. This is due to several factors, most significantly whether the program is offered by a public or private institution (private programs cost more) and, regarding public school programs, whether you’re a Florida or out-of-state resident (Florida residents pay a substantially lower per-credit rate than out-of-state residents).
To get an idea of what you might pay for your Florida accelerated BSN program, take a look at the cost figures included in the school spotlights in this guide. Also, here are current cost figures for three other accelerated BSN programs in Florida (one public and two private):
Barry University
Bachelor of Science in Nursing – Accelerated Option (BSN/AO)
Total Credits: 63
Total cost: $31,150 ($7,000 per semester plus $50 per credit/per semester)
Florida International University
Accelerated Option BSN (AO BSN)
Total Credits: 61
Total cost (tuition plus additional costs, est.): $15,965 (Florida resident); $41,176 (out-of-state resident)
Nova Southeastern University
Total Credits: 64
Total cost (tuition and fees): $24,000
What are the admission requirements for accelerated BSN programs in Florida?
Admissions requirements vary somewhat by program, but some requirements are similar across programs. They include:
- Previously-earned bachelor’s (or higher) degree: Earned from a regionally-accredited college or university. Applicants whose degree was earned from a school outside the U.S. will normally be considered for admission on a case-by-case basis.
- Minimum GPA: On previous college coursework. A stated minimum of 3.0 is common. The requirement may be cumulative for all prior undergraduate coursework or only on the most recent coursework completed (typically 60 credits worth).
- Prerequisite coursework: The State of Florida mandates that students entering an accelerated BSN program in the state complete college-level courses in a number of nursing and science subjects as a condition of enrollment. The specific course subjects and number of courses vary by program. Two examples of prerequisite course requirements are those for the University of Florida and Florida International University programs.
- Additional requirements: Other requirements may include passing a nursing entrance exam (such as the HESI or TEAS), letters of recommendation, and a personal interview. International students must additionally demonstrate English language proficiency via an acceptable score on either the TOEFL or IELT exam.
How do I know if an accelerated Florida BSN program is of high quality?
The quality of your Florida-based accelerated BSN program is assured in two ways. The first is program approval by the Florida Board of Nursing. The second is proper accreditation, particularly programmatic accreditation through the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). All accelerated BSN programs mentioned in this guide are accredited by either the ACEN or CCNE. You can check an accelerated BSN program’s current accreditation status by visiting the program’s website or contacting the program directly. You can also check the status using these ACEN and CCNE program search engines.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my accelerated BSN program in Florida?
If you qualify, yes, and most BSN students will. Financial aid opportunities for accelerated BSN students are available across a range of funding sources, the most common being the federal student loan. The federal government is also a great source for loan repayment opportunities for nursing students. In addition, there’s an abundance of scholarships and grants available for BSN students, including those sponsored by nursing associations and private benefactors and “in-house” awards offered by colleges and universities themselves. Examples of programs with robust financial aid offerings for nursing students include Florida Atlantic University and the University of Florida.
The best way to find out about specific financial aid opportunities for your Florida accelerated BSN program of choice is to contact the school’s financial aid office. And be sure to check out our nursing scholarship guide and main financial aid guide for more information and advice on funding your accelerated BSN program.
What’s Next After Your Accelerated BSN Program in Florida
The goal of earning your BSN degree, of course, is to launch your career as an RN. Once you’ve earned your degree, though, you will still need to take care of a number of tasks before starting your professional nursing practice. Here’s a look at the steps you’ll take to become a working RN in Florida:
- Graduate from a state-approved nursing education program (like one of the accelerated BSN programs in Florida mentioned in this guide).
- Apply for RN registration and pay the appropriate application fees with the Florida Board of Nursing (BON). You can apply online here.
- Register and get fingerprinted through a Livescan fingerprint service provider.
- Receive your Authorization to Test from the BON.
- Register and pay to take the exam with Pearson VUE. Schedule and take your NCLEX RN exam at a Person VUE’s testing location. Test results are transmitted directly to the BON.
- Receive your initial RN license, which is issued within seven to 10 days of passing the exam.
Once you’ve received your Florida RN license, you are authorized to practice as an RN anywhere within the state.
Career & Salary Outlook for BSN Nurses in Florida
What can you expect once you finally have your degree and RN license in hand? When you start your job search, you’ll find the job market for registered nurses in Florida is quite positive, with job growth rates in the state more than double job growth rates for RNs nationwide. The state’s rate sits at over 12%, compared to the nationwide rate of 5.6%. The median RN salary in Florida is a little lower than what you might expect in some other states, like California, but you can increase your lifetime earning potential through pursuing specialties and additional education. For now, expect to receive a salary around the Florida median of $80,960. (The state’s 10th percentile salary sits at $63,520, and the 90th percentile at $105,580.) Where you choose to work in Florida will impact your salary, with the highest median salaries found around Miami and Fort Lauderdale ($83,590) and the lowest median salaries found around Pensacola ($71,700). For more details, check out the data below.
Job Outlook for Registered Nurses in Florida
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 3,172,500 | 3,349,900 | 177,400 | 5.60% | 193,100 |
| Florida | 202,780 | 228,070 | 25,290 | 12.50% | 14,110 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Florida RNs Earning Potential
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $63,520 | $80,960 | $105,580 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $64,750 | $82,810 | $103,650 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $59,570 | $79,580 | $93,600 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $58,140 | $78,960 | $95,790 |
| Gainesville, FL | $69,270 | $81,430 | $104,980 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $61,190 | $76,220 | $105,560 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $61,750 | $79,800 | $100,560 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $59,470 | $78,050 | $94,810 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $65,000 | $83,590 | $110,330 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | $65,580 | $81,850 | $137,620 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | $63,740 | $80,170 | $99,800 |
| Ocala, FL | $61,900 | $72,530 | $92,560 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $64,070 | $80,870 | $102,150 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $60,630 | $79,530 | $99,000 |
| Panama City, FL | $59,170 | $76,340 | $97,700 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $59,630 | $71,700 | $93,250 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $58,620 | $77,600 | $101,870 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $60,990 | $78,830 | $96,910 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | $63,860 | $78,560 | $93,610 |
| Sebring, FL | $62,140 | $79,600 | $98,060 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $57,650 | $73,880 | $96,470 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $65,340 | $82,320 | $105,770 |
| The Villages, FL | $61,830 | $78,400 | $113,090 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
