Find Top Online RN to BSN Degree Programs in FL
Florida has one of the highest employment levels for nurses with over 200,000 employed nurses. If you are a Florida RN looking to take advantage of the increasing demand of nurses and improve your salary, an online RN to BSN bridge program is an efficient way to broaden your qualifications while still working full time. Keep reading to learn about flexible bridge programs in Florida, admissions requirements, how much you may pay for tuition, what you can expect after you’ve enrolled, and how much more you can make as a BSN nurse in Florida.
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Uncovering Florida’s Online RN to BSN Programs
You’ve put in the time and work, earned your RN license, and started a successful nursing career in Florida. As a caring nurse who loves what you do and wants to keep making a difference in the lives of patients, you may be thinking of ways to build upon your skillset, improve your job prospects, and raise your salary ceiling.
Earning a BSN degree from a Florida university is a great way for you to achieve these goals—and if you enroll in an online RN to BSN program in Florida, you can build on your current experience and earn your bachelor’s degree quickly while you continue working as an RN. To help you decide if a RN to BSN program is right for you, we researched some of the best programs in the state. Below are three affordable programs that are either offered fully online or in a hybrid format.
RN-BSN Bridge Track – University of North Florida
The University of North Florida offers an online RN-BSN Bridge Track for registered nurses aiming to complete their BSN. The program, which can be completed in as few as three traditional semesters, includes courses in health assessment, family and community care, professional communication, nursing research, and leadership. It offers flexibility with online coursework and community-based clinical experiences. While it’s a great program for many nurses, it’s specifically designed for those who want to learn more about population health and the political and economic influences on the healthcare system. This curriculum focus makes it ideal for anyone looking to enter administrative or leadership roles.
Duration: Approximately one year
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $142.70 per credit for Florida residents, $599.97 per credit for non-residents
Admissions Requirements:
- An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
- An active registered nursing license
Curriculum:
- Health Assessment (3 Credits)
- Introduction to Nursing Science (3 Credits)
- Family and Community Assessment (4 Credits)
- Social to Professional Nursing (2 Credits)
- Perspectives in Chronicity (4 Credits)
- Ethical-Legal Considerations in Nursing (2 Credits)
- Leadership Management Concepts in Nursing (3 Credits)
- Nursing Research Translation (1 Credit)
- Community Partnerships (3 Credits)
- Community Nursing Practice (2 Credits)
- Professional Nursing Transition (3 Credits)
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RN to BSN Online – University of West Florida
The University of West Florida offers an online RN to BSN program through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) accredited Dr. D.W. McMillan School of Nursing. The program requires 32 credit hours, with courses in health assessment, professional nursing practice, and population-based public health nursing. It can be completed in 12 months and includes 45 direct care hours. The direct care hours are completed in-person, making this program an excellent hybrid option. After completing these care hours, students can also take upper-level electives in areas of interest to them, making this a great option for those who want to specialize in a specific area of nursing.
Duration: 12 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $218.98 per credit hour in-state, $648.37 per credit hour out-of-state
Admissions Requirements:
- An Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) degree
- A minimum GPA of 2.75
- An active RN license
Curriculum:
- 30 credit hours of major courses covering:
- Health Assessment and Promotion
- Professional Nursing Practice
- Pharmacology
- Essentials of Evidence-Based Nursing Practice
- Care of the Older Adult
- Population-Based Public Health Nursing
- Systems-Based Nursing Leadership
- Health Education in the Community
- Pathophysiology
- Law & Ethics in Nursing
- 16 credit hours of nursing electives
RN to BSN (Online) – Lake-Sumter State College
Lake-Sumter State College offers an online RN to BSN program designed for licensed RNs or those eligible for NCLEX-RN. The 30-credit program can be completed full-time in two semesters or part-time in five semesters, focusing on leadership, management, research, and community health. All courses are offered online and in a seven-week format. While lectures are fully online, the program includes in-person clinical components. These can be completed in a student’s area, not necessarily around campus. To help keep the program affordable, Lake-Sumter offers myriad scholarships and generous financial aid packages.
Duration: 18 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $122.25 per credit hour
Admissions Requirements:
- A minimum GPA of 2.5
- An active RN license
Curriculum:
- Professional Role Transition (3 credits)
- Evidence and Research in Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- Diversity & Global Trends (3 credits)
- Community and Public Health Nursing (3 credits)
- Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice (3 credits)
- Health Care Policy & Economics in Nursing (3 credits)
- Leadership & Management in Nursing (3 credits)
- Nursing electives (6 credits)
- Nursing capstone (3 credits)
All You Need to Know: RN to BSN Students FAQs
While the spotlights above provide a good idea of what an online RN to BSN program looks like, you most likely still have questions. To help, we researched the top five most asked questions about getting an online RN to BSN degree in Florida and ways to save on tuition.
Can I earn my RN to BSN degree in Florida 100% online?
It depends. You may be able to take at least a portion of your classes online, but you should expect some elements of your program to be conducted in person. For example, the University of Florida’s College of Nursing has an RN to BSN program that allows you to take all of your classes online, however, the school does require that you participate in two courses, health assessment and public health, which have clinical components that must be completed at local health care facilities in tandem with your online activities. Similarly, Florida International University’s RN to BSN curriculum is almost entirely completed online, but nurses must participate in a practicum that combines an online theoretical component with in-person clinical hours.
How much do online RN to BSN programs cost in Florida?
Nursing schools in Florida provide an economical education option for students in online RN to BSN programs. Although each school charges different tuition rates—whether they charge for each credit or semester—students can find cost efficient programs that give them a return on their investment. Plus, many schools offer a more affordable in-state tuition rate for Florida residents that sometimes extends to all online learners. Many schools offer generous financial aid packages as well, which can help offset some costs associated with an online RN to BSN.
How long do online RN to BSN programs take to finish at Florida colleges?
The timeline for online RN to BSN programs in Florida varies depending on the school you enroll in, whether you enroll in a program on a full-time or part-time basis, and how many credits transfer over from previous education. For instance, at Florida Atlantic University, students can choose a course of study based on their individual needs that allows them to finish their degrees in between one-and-a-half and three years. By contrast, at Cambridge College of Healthcare & Technology, students generally complete their online degrees in 16 months and Herzing University nurses can get their BSN in as little as 10 months.
How do I get into Florida online RN to BSN programs?
In order to be admitted into any online RN to BSN program in Florida, applicants are required to either have an active RN license or at least be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam. Other criteria for admission may vary depending on the school that you’re applying to. For example, at Seminole State College of Florida, prospective students should have an associate’s degree or diploma in nursing and at least a 2.5 grade point average. The University of Florida requires its applicants to have an associate’s degree and a 2.8 minimum GPA. In addition, the school expects prospective students to complete prerequisite courses in biology, anatomy and physiology, microbiology, and human nutrition.
Can I get my BSN in 6 months in Florida?
While there are some programs that allow you to get your RN to BSN in six months, those programs are few and far between in Florida. A more realistic timeline is nine months to one year. One advantage of these slightly longer programs is that they’re designed to be part-time. This means you can continue working while getting your degree or can more easily balance coursework with personal obligations. If you are interested in a six-month program, be aware that although you’ll be able to progress in your career quicker, you will have a more intense courseload as a full-time student.
Top-Rated Online RN to BSN Bridge Programs in Florida
To help you find accredited nursing schools with at least one online component and a competitive curriculum, our team ranked the best online RN to BSN programs in Florida using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) . These rankings were determined based on the average tuition rate, percent of students who receive financial aid, the percent of course components that can be completed online, and the student to faculty ratio. You can learn more about our ranking methodology under the “About Our Rankings” tab below.
University of North Florida
Jacksonville, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.79%
- % Receiving Award65%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
The University of West Florida
Pensacola, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.87%
- % Receiving Award50%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
Lake-Sumter State College
Leesburg, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.79%
- % Receiving Award49%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio19/1
Polk State College
Winter Haven, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.80%
- % Receiving Award33%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
Daytona State College
Daytona Beach, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.66%
- % Receiving Award46%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
Chipola College
Marianna, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.61%
- % Receiving Award51%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio12/1
Eastern Florida State College
Cocoa, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.65%
- % Receiving Award49%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio12/1
South Florida State College
Avon Park, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.66%
- % Receiving Award52%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio13/1
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
Bradenton, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.72%
- % Receiving Award38%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio21/1
Florida Atlantic University
Boca Raton, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.66%
- % Receiving Award55%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio6/1
Florida International University
Miami, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.68%
- % Receiving Award62%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio18/1
St Petersburg College
St. Petersburg, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.76%
- % Receiving Award44%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio17/1
Indian River State College
Fort Pierce, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.66%
- % Receiving Award47%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio16/1
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Jacksonville, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.77%
- % Receiving Award42%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio15/1
Northwest Florida State College
Niceville, Florida
Public
- AccreditationSACSCOC
- Avg. Inst. Aid
- % in Online Ed.70%
- % Receiving Award37%
- Tuition$
- Student/Faculty Ratio18/1
Base Methodology for EduMed’s “Best Online College Rankings” for the ‘24-’25 school year.
One: Create a list of eligible schools & programs
To be eligible for ranking, schools were required to meet the following criteria based on data pulled from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), which was self-reported by the schools themselves.
- Institutional accreditation from an organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education
- At least one online component in a program within the ranking-subject area.
- The existence of academic counseling on campus and/or online.
- The existence of career placement services on campus and/or online.
Two: Assign weightings to eligible schools & programs
After creating the list of eligible schools, EduMed data scientists assigned weights and ranked schools based on a mix of metrics, which were all self-reported by the school themselves to the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
The metrics are listed below in order of most- to least-heavily weighted.
- Online Programs – Number of online programs, either partially- or fully-online, in the relevant subject area. Because exact numbers change often and can be difficult to verify, we use a range-based scoring system to represent this category with laptop icons.
- % in Online Ed. – Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class.
- Tuition – Average in-state tuition for undergraduate students studying full-time, as self-reported by the school.
- % Receiving Award – Percent of full-time, first-time students receiving an award in 6 years.
- Avg. Inst. Aid – Average amount of institutional grant aid awarded to full-time, first-time undergraduates.
- Student/Faculty Ratio – The number of students per faculty member.
About Our Data
EduMed’s rankings use the latest official data available from The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Most recent data pull: July 2024
Salary and Career Outlook for RN to BSN Track
One of the benefits of earning a BSN degree is to be able to command higher salaries. According to ZipRecruiter, there is a significant difference between what RNs and BSNs earn in Florida. In fact, as of January 2025, the average hourly rate that is paid to RNs is $34.88 an hour or $66,969 annually. When Florida nurses advance in their education and earn a BSN, ZipRecruiter reports that they earn an average yearly salary of $96,000. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a similar salary range, noting that BSN nurses often make more than those with an associate’s degree.
On top of earning potential, a BSN also opens up more opportunities for leadership positions. 193,000 nurses are nearing retirement age, and many employers are looking for nurses with a bachelor’s degree to fill those managerial roles. Plus, a BSN also opens up more specialized opportunities and roles at Magnet-designated hospitals. Nurses who work at Magnet-designated hospitals often have higher career satisfaction rates and lower rates of burnout. The increase in professional opportunities that a BSN awards can also help you feel more personally satisfied at work.