Inside the Best Online LPN Programs in Florida
Becoming an LPN in Florida is a smart way to quickly enter the in-demand nursing field. Learn about fast, flexible diploma and certificate programs with online classwork in this comprehensive guide.
Enrolling in an online LPN program in Florida is an affordable and convenient way to gain the skills you need to qualify for practical nurse licensure to start or advance your nursing career—especially if you’re currently working, raising a family, or have other major responsibilities. Although you can’t complete your training completely online, hybrid programs are available that allow you to take general coursework remotely while completing your clinical training on-campus. During the Covid-19 pandemic, a number of campus-based programs moved their classes online where they remain to this day, so you can take advantage of the flexibility these schools continue to offer.
We’ve packed this guide with tons of useful information on what you can expect from online LPN programs in Florida. You’ll also find a list of programs approved by the Florida Board of Nursing, learn the steps to become licensed in the state after you have completed your studies, and see how much you can make as a practical nurse in Florida. Take the first step by checking out our list of premier programs for this school year.
Santa Fe College
Gainesville, Florida
Public
Rasmussen College
Rasmussen College’s one-year hybrid LPN diploma program trains students to work in hospitals, long-term care facilities, clinics, and assisted living centers. Coursework offers the knowledge and skills needed to provide holistic care that caters to individual patients in a safe, compassionate, and ethical manner. Specifically, the curriculum includes classes in subjects such as client-centered care strategies, mental health nursing, pharmacology, practical nursing skills, and maternal-child health nursing. During their studies, students take classes both online and on campus, as well as complete clinical experiences that help them apply the principles they learn in real-world settings.
In order to be admitted into Rasmussen College’s program, applicants must successfully complete the School of Nursing Entrance Exam. In addition, they are required to pass a criminal background check and health physical, and earn a Basic Life Saving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification with Defibrillator credential.
Herzing University
In order to be admitted into Herzing University’s 12-month LPN program, prospective students must possess a high school diploma or GED earned with a minimum 2.0 grade point average, as well as receive a minimum composite score on the Test of Essential Academic Skills. Once enrolled, students complete online general education classes and attend nursing courses (which include simulation labs and personalized support from instructors) on the school’s campus. Students also participate in hands-on clinicals where they apply the knowledge and skills gained in their coursework in actual practice settings. Following completion of their courses and clinicals, students are prepared to take the NCLEX-PN exam to earn their LPN license.
What Are Online LPN Programs in Florida Like?
Licensed practical nursing is a rigorous profession that demands workers provide a variety of basic patient care tasks, from monitoring blood pressure to bathing to recordkeeping. To train students for this critically important job, online LPN programs in Florida provide classes in a range of fundamental nursing topics—such as pharmacology, medical terminology, and anatomy and physiology. Students additionally gain real world nursing experience through in-person clinical training at health care facilities in their local communities. For example, LPN students at Herzing University complete their general education classes online while attending nursing theory and practical skills classes on-campus. For more details about how online and hybrid LPN programs work, see EduMed’s main online LPN program page.
List of State Approved LPN Programs in Florida
| School | City | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|
| School | City | Accreditation |
LPN Licensing Details and Requirements in Florida
Getting an LPN license is mandatory to work in Florida, so it’s imperative that you understand exactly what the state expects of you in order to receive and maintain your license. The section below contains information on the Florida Board of Nursing’s LPN licensing requirements.
Requirement
1
Complete a nursing education program from a Florida-approved or accredited institution
Section 464.003 of the 2017 Florida Statutes requires nursing students to possess a degree from either an accredited or state-approved nursing school. Accredited schools are those that have received the designation from a nursing accrediting agency recognized by the United States Department of Education. An approved nursing program refers to one that has been recognized by the state’s Board of Nursing based on the quality of its curriculum. The Florida Department of Health provides a list of approved Florida LPN programs on their website.
Requirement
2
Submit to Electronic Fingerprinting
As part of their criminal background check, the State of Florida requires that nursing license applicants have their fingerprints taken by a Live Scan service provider and submit them to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The fingerprinting process requires payment of a fee which is determined by the individual provider.
Requirement
3
Disclose Criminal History if Applicable
An applicant who has been convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a charge that isn’t a minor traffic offense must disclose that conviction to the nursing board on their application. Applicants may additionally be required to submit arrest records from the court, proof of probation completion, a letter explaining the nature of their crime, and three to five letters of recommendation from people they have worked with.
Requirement
4
Pass the NCLEX-PN Examination
Following completion of their nursing programs and passing their criminal background checks, the Florida Board of Nursing approves the nursing student to take the NCLEX-PN examination. Prospective test-takers register for the exam through testing vendor Pearson VUE. Test-takers who pass the exam will receive their license within seven to 10 days. The fee for taking the exam is $200 and the licensing application fee is $110.
Requirement
5
Keep your license up-to-date and fulfill continuing education requirements
LPNs are required to renew their license every two years. To do so, LPNs must complete 30 hours of continuing education and report the courses taken to the CEBroker.com tracking platform. Examples of topics covered in continuing education courses include domestic violence, medical error prevention, education laws and rules, and end of life care. The $75 license renewal fee may be waived if the LPN is a member of the military or volunteers their services to medically indigent patients.
Job Outlook and Salary Details for LPNs in Florida
When you choose to become an LPN in Florida, there will be no shortage of jobs available for you. In the United States, the growth of positions for licensed practical nurses is projected at 5.3% for the decade between 2022 and 2032. The growth of jobs for LPNs in Florida is even more promising, at a remarkable 12.7%. This means that those who choose to earn their LPN in Florida can look forward to 3,520 annual job openings across the state.
The income an LPN can expect to earn in Florida is also quite attractive. Statewide, the median wage for LPNs is $56,730. Those in the 10th percentile (usually those just starting out) can expect to earn about $45,780. More experienced LPNs might find themselves in the 90th percentile, with earnings of $68,750 per year. Although the median pay remains relatively consistent throughout the state, some areas stand out. For instance, those in Cape Coral – Fort Myers can expect a median wage of $58,010, while those in the Miami metro area can expect $58,270. To learn more about where you can earn a solid income, check out the data below.
Job Outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses in Florida
| Area | Curr. Jobs | Proj. Jobs | New Jobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann. Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 655,000 | 689,900 | 34,900 | 5.30% | 54,400 |
| Florida | 37,770 | 42,580 | 4,810 | 12.70% | 3,520 |
Source: Projections Central
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Annual Earnings for Licensed Practical Nurses in Florida
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $45,780 | $56,730 | $68,750 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $48,870 | $58,010 | $65,640 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $40,890 | $52,040 | $72,170 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $44,770 | $54,890 | $70,410 |
| Gainesville, FL | $47,130 | $56,050 | $61,630 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $46,430 | $56,170 | $69,390 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $46,240 | $56,610 | $67,680 |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $41,490 | $52,020 | $62,180 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $46,600 | $58,270 | $69,250 |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | $48,820 | $58,160 | $64,830 |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | $47,370 | $58,640 | $65,130 |
| Ocala, FL | $46,550 | $53,230 | $60,000 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $46,720 | $58,140 | $80,040 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $45,090 | $54,080 | $68,450 |
| Panama City, FL | $40,300 | $49,000 | $61,410 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $42,410 | $51,580 | $64,070 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $45,180 | $56,030 | $65,550 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $45,100 | $53,820 | $63,020 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | $46,330 | $57,890 | $61,890 |
| Sebring, FL | $38,650 | $50,140 | $61,900 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $42,390 | $49,530 | $60,850 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $46,130 | $56,680 | $67,340 |
| The Villages, FL | $46,270 | $55,280 | $62,280 |
Source: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Resources for LPN Students and Nurses in Florida
- Association of Practical Nurse Educators of Florida This organization is for both current educators and LPNs who are interested in using their expertise to become an educator.
- Continuing Education Courses for Florida Nurses This site from NetCE allows LPNs to find and enroll in continuing education classes that Florida requires.
- Florida Administrative Code and Administrative Register This page includes information on the Florida laws that apply to nurses in the state.
- LPN Programs in Orlando Find accredited online and traditional LVN programs in Orlando that can help you jumpstart your nursing career.
- Review of Florida Nurse Education Program Graduate Passage Rates on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Licensure Examination: Calendar Year 2018 This report from the Florida Board of Nursing includes data on the NCLEX passage rates of graduates from schools around the state.
