Online & Campus LPN to RN Bridge Programs: Best in Florida for 2024
Learn about fast-track online bridge programs in FL that can help you go from practical nurse to registered nurse quickly and affordably.
Becoming a licensed practical nurse was a great first step into the nursing profession. It let you get a solid job fast, taught you critical nursing fundamentals, and gave you the chance to gain valuable patient care experience and make a difference. But now you’re ready for the next stage of your nursing career by becoming a registered nurse – ready for more responsibility, higher pay, and better job opportunities.
One of the best (and quickest) ways to go from LPN to RN in Florida is through an online bridge program that awards an associate degree and prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN exam. Online LPN to RN programs in Florida are designed for working LPNs like you, allowing you to take many classes remotely and at times that fit your busy schedule.
This guide will give you everything you need to start your move from LPN to RN in Florida. You’ll learn more about how online LPN to RN programs in Florida work, see how much more you can make as an RN in Florida, and find a list of top accredited programs that can help get you there.
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| # | School Name | Type | Tuition | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St Petersburg CollegeSt. Petersburg, FL | Public | $ | 2 | St. Petersburg College offers a transitional associate degree for LPNs looking to become registered nurses. This program offers flexibility with two tracks: a day track with courses on weekdays with admission in the fall semester, and an evening track with courses during the evenings and weekends with admission in the spring semester. This program is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and will prepare students to sit for the national exam to become a registered nurse. Program Highlights: LPN to RN
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
Online Student %76% |
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| 2 | Eastern Florida State CollegeCocoa, FL | Public | $ | 2 | Eastern Florida State College offers an ADN program with a transition option for learners who already have their LVN degrees. The degree consists of a blend of general education courses, nursing courses, and support courses such as anatomy. There's also a special transition nursing clinical, which may enable students to complete clinical hours at their place of employment. The program prepares students to sit for the NCLEX exam and become RNs. Since the program is for working professionals, it's delivered in a flexible, hybrid format. Program Highlights: Associate Nursing Degree
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
Online Student %65% |
|||
| 3 | Santa Fe CollegeGainesville, FL | Public | $ | 2 | Santa Fe College offers a 14-month Associate of Science in Nursing bridge program for prospective registered nurses. This is a hybrid program, with most lab and clinical work occurring in a classroom and some elements administered online. Only 10 students are admitted into the bridge program per application cycle. Upon graduation, students may sit for the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses in Florida, or get a multi-state license in any of the other nursing compact states. Prerequisite courses must be taken before admission into the program. Program Highlights: Associate of Nursing Bridge Program
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
Online Student %55% |
Profiling Popular LPN to RN Online Programs in Florida
Schools from across the country are helping LPNs become RNs and take the necessary steps to boost their careers. However, when it’s time to pick a program, questions may linger. How long will it take? Can I even afford it right now? To help you answer those critical questions, we’ve collected key program details from some of today’s leading LPN to RN bridges online. To help you continue program search, we’ve spotlighted three programs that are accredited by ACEN or CCNE and/or approved by the Florida Board of Nursing. Read on to find out what you can expect from LPN to RN programs in Florida.
Rasmussen College
Rasmussen College offers its Professional Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/RN) program in a hybrid format that allows students to take courses online and complete hands-on requirements in simulated medical settings. The curriculum consists of 24 courses (102 total credits) and can completed in as few as 18 months, depending on the number of previously-earned credits transferred into the program and number of courses completed each term. There are four start dates each year and no admissions waitlist.
Eastern Florida University
This 13-month Transition to Associate Degree Nursing / RN Program at Eastern Florida University offers a quick way for current LPNs to earn their associate degree and qualify to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. The 72-credit hybrid-formatted curriculum includes some general education coursework, but primarily focuses on core nursing courses such as Clinical Judgment and Critical Care, Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Leadership and Management Nursing Capstone. Admission is open to current LPNs, paramedics, and registered/certified respiratory therapists.
St. John’s River
When you enroll in the Nursing: LPN Bridge to ASN program at St John’s River, you will receive 10 credits for your LPN license, providing you a fast start on your path to becoming a working registered nurse. The program is presented in a hybrid format and can be completed in as few as four semesters. Classes are attended online on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, with 12-hour clinicals attended in-person one day per week at healthcare facilities in and around the St. Augustine Tri-County area. The straightforward application process gives first-ranking in the selection process to students from Clay, Putnam, and St. John’s counties. Graduation from the 72-credit hours program qualify academically to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam leading to licensure eligibility and employment as a registered nurse in Florida.
FAQs About Online LPN to RN Programs in Florida
What should I expect from an online LPN to RN program in Florida?
Most online LPN to RN programs in Florida are offered in a hybrid format. This means students will complete most of their core classwork online while attending hands-on clinical training sessions on-campus or at program-affiliated healthcare facilities in the school’s local area. In some cases, students will be able to complete their clinicals at their current places of employment.
Programs often deliver their online content in an asynchronous format that allows students to complete their coursework at times most convenient to them. This is especially beneficial to practicing LPNs whose work schedules limit when they can attend to their program studies.
It’s important to remember that online programs very often require students to occasionally visit campus to attend seminars, orientation sessions, intensive workshops, or the like. So, if you live far away from the school you hope to attend, it’s important to check for any in-person requirements before enrolling. To learn more about studying online, be sure to check out EduMed’s main online LPN to RN program page.
How long does it take to finish an LPN to RN online Florida degree program?
The time to complete an online LPN to RN program in Florida depends upon the same factors that might come into play in any other state. Some programs allow for part-time study, which means the program can take anywhere from 18 to 24 months. Others allow for accelerated study that allows students to complete all program requirements in as little as one year, sometimes less. Another factor impacting program length is the number of credits earned in the student’s LPN program that are transferred into the LPN to RN program.
What are the admissions requirements for online LPN to RN bridge programs in Florida?
You’ll discover in your LPN to RN bridge program search that each program has its own set of admissions requirements. Some of those requirements, however, are common to all programs, including:
- Transcripts from previous schools attended
- Standardized test scores, such as SAT or ACT
- Minimum GPA figures for previous-completed coursework
- Prerequisite coursework in subjects such as basic science and anatomy
- A current, unencumbered LPN license
- Documentation of required clinical experience
Some schools require applicants to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) which helps the program determine if the applicant needs to meet further prerequisites before admission.
Are There 6 Month LPN to RN Programs in Florida?
Nurses who are ready to make the career transition from an LPN to an RN probably want to make that next step as efficiently as possible, so they may be interested in enrolling in a 6-month LPN to RN program. Unfortunately, there are no schools offering this short of a program in Florida.
The good news is, there are accelerated LPN to RN programs that can help you build on your existing nursing skills and experience to become a registered nurse in a timely manner. We’ve chosen a top accelerated LPN-RN bridge program in Florida to help you get started on your search.
Florida Gateway College’s LPN-RN Bridge Fast Track
When you enroll in the LPN-RN Bridge Fast Track program offered by Gateway College, you get the opportunity to earn an Associate of Science in Nursing degree on a part-time basis in just about 12 months. When students finish this program, they’re qualified to work in a variety of nursing specialties, including critical care, maternity, neonatal, home health, and acute care nursing.
During the program, students complete coursework in general education along with their nursing classes, so they receive a well-rounded education they can use in any job they pursue. When you’re done with your courses, you’ll participate in a clinical experience at a medical facility approved by Gateway College. Depending on where you complete your clinicals, you may be required to work weekdays, evenings, or weekends.
Gateway College charges in-state tuition of $103.32 per credit hour and $391.57 per credit hour for out-of-state students. Additionally, all students are charged various fees, including fees for laboratory work, uniforms, clinical supplies, books, and licensing examinations.
Florida LPN vs. RN: Salary and Job Outlook Comparison
When it comes to going back to school, you want to be sure the investment you make in your education will pay off in the long run. Below are current job growth and salary figures for LPNs and RNs in Florida to give you an idea of what you can expect to find in terms of job outlook once you’ve obtained your RN license.
How much more can I earn moving from an LPN to RN in Florida?
In Florida, the difference in median yearly income between LPNs and RNs is nearly $28,000 – a major increase of almost 60 percent. Check out the chart below to see how big of a pay bump you could get from going to LPN to RN in your area.
| LPN Annual Median Wage | RN Annual Median Wage | Annual Earnings Increase | |
| Florida | $47,000 | $75,000 | + $28,000 |
| Jacksonville | $46,800 | $74,940 | + $28,140 |
| Miami – Fort Lauderdale – West Palm Beach | $47,250 | $77,030 | + $29,780 |
| Orlando – Kissimmee – Sanford | $47,080 | $75,000 | + $29,730 |
| Tampa – St. Petersburg – Clearwater | $47,170 | $77,030 | + $29,860 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2021
How’s the job market for RNs in Florida vs. LPNs?
Though licensed practical nurses are in demand in Florida with an estimated 5,890 estimated new job openings in the state between 2018 and 2028, the odds are much better to find a job as a registered nurse, where the growth rate is expected to be over 16% during that same time period – with a whopping 30,530 new jobs available. The chart below holds more information on the growing trends.
| Employment (2018) | New Jobs (2018-2028) | Job Growth Rate (2018-2028) | Average Annual Openings (2018-2028) | |
| LPNs in Florida | 49,320 | 5,890 | 11.9% | 14,000 |
| RNs in Florida | 189,820 | 30,530 | 16.1% | 4,570 |
