Written By
Blake Huggins
- Bio
last updated
LPN to BSN nursing programs in Florida offer a quick, convenient, and fulfilling pathway to advanced nursing practice. These programs prepare you to transition into a new role with new responsibilities by building your knowledge base and preparing you for more intensive and focused work. If you already hold an active practical nursing license, LPN to BSN nursing programs in Florida (sometimes called bridge programs) are a great way to elevate your professional profile and move into higher-paying positions.
Designed for working LPNs interested in exploring their options, this guide outlines what you can expect from a typical LPN to BSN program in Florida. You’ll learn more about program costs and financial aid, learning outcomes, and online learning possibilities. You’ll also find answers to your questions about licensure and recent salary and employment trends for Florida nurses with a BSN. Keep reading to get started on your path going from LPN to BSN in Florida.
Nursing School Spotlights: Best LPN to BSN Programs in Florida
Wondering what a quality LPN to BSN nursing program in Florida looks like and how to find one? Below we look at a few best-in-class courses of study to help you get started. If you’ve already done a bit of research, then you probably noticed the limited number of LPN to a BSN nursing programs available in Florida. We profile two solid options in this section, but bear in mind that there are alternative pathways like earning an ADN or enrolling in a RN to BSN bridge program. Learn more about the top LPN to BSN programs in Florida below.
Herzing University
A Wisconsin-based institution, Herzing University offers an LPN to BSN nursing program from its campuses in Tampa and Orlando. The program provides a direct pathway to RN licensure for active practical nurses by recognizing previous training and clinical experience. It broadens knowledge and skills so nursing professionals can take on more responsibility as they administer high-quality, evidence-based care. Incoming students fulfill all general education requirements entirely online but complete core coursework and clinicals in person. Core courses provide crucial hands-on training in nursing informatics, pathophysiology, health policy, and nursing leadership. Completed near the end of the course of study, specific clinical practicum components are determined by Herzing based on the student’s past training.
Many students graduate from Herzing’s program in as few as 28 months and are eligible for the NCCLEX-RN exam and state licensure. The program holds accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
West Coast University
West Coast University offers an LPN to BSN Program in Florida at its Miami campus with multiple start times throughout the year. It includes a concentrated curriculum designed to incorporate the competencies you’ve already gained through your work as an LPN. Students complete the program in 34 months on average, going on to find work in pediatrics, community health, medical-surgical nursing, and other areas. The CCNE-accredited course of study includes knowledge-based courses that integrate approaches to patient-centered care with management principles and scientific inquiry.
Students in this program gain vital experience using the school’s innovative simulation center, which re-creates the dynamics of real-world work environments. West Coast University also offers merit and need-based financial aid to qualifying applicants. All students can use its career services resources to locate professional development opportunities both before graduation and beyond. The class offerings for this program cover a wide range of topics, including nursing research, pharmacology, physical assessment, and nutrition.
FAQs About LPN to BSN Programs in Florida
What additional nursing skills and knowledge will I gain in an LPN to BSN program in Florida?
These programs build upon – and offer credit for – your previous experience and training as an LPN. They ready you for more focused work at higher levels of employment by deepening your knowledge and expanding your skills. You’ll complete courses in patient-care management, human wellness and nutrition, mental health, and pathophysiology, as you’ll see in this course listing from Florida Gulf Coast University. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore your own interests through electives. This lets you widen your professional scope even further by studying topics like reproductive health, gerontology, and community nursing.
Armed with new conceptual tools and theoretical models, later in your studies you’ll turn your attention to practical applications and professional development. Practicum components and field placements prepare you for leadership roles in nursing and cultivate new modes of clinical reasoning.
How long does it take to complete an LPN to BSN program in Florida?
Most LPN to BSN nursing programs in Florida graduate students in less than three years on average. Individual circumstances can impact your timeframe for completion quite a bit. Major factors to consider here are your enrollment status (full-time or part-time), whether you plan to transfer credits, and potential course prerequisites. Some students could graduate in as few as 28 months, while others may tack on several months depending on the situation.
How much do LPN to BSN programs in Florida cost?
The list below gives you a sense of overall costs for LPN to BSN nursing programs in Florida. It’s important to remember that individual factors like enrollment status and school type can have a big impact on the price of your schooling. For example, part-time students could pay more in the long run due to the extra time required. Likewise, private schools sometimes charge higher rates than public institutions. Check with each school individually for exact information on current rates.
West Coast University
Total Credits: 120
$599/credit (general education courses)
$799/credit (core courses)
Florida Gulf Coast University
Total Credits: 124
$203/credit (resident)
$838/credit (nonresident)
What are the admission requirements for LPN to BSN programs in Florida?
Admission requirements for these programs vary, but overall most follow a similar process and ask for the same items. If you plan to apply to LPN to BSN nursing programs in Florida, you will be expected to provide:
- A current, unobstructed LPN license issued by the Florida Board of Nursing
- Evidence of a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalent
- Recent TEAS assessment results
- Immunization documents and evidence of CPR certification
- Drug screening results
- Proof of health insurance coverage
Some LPN to BSN nursing programs in Florida require additional items to make sure you’re compliant with clinical training requirements.
What should I look for in an LPN to BSN program in Florida?
You should make sure that any potential program holds both state approval with the Florida Board of Nursing and accreditation with organizations like the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. The nursing board establishes key requirements for education and licensure and approves programs with those criteria in mind. A degree from such a program means you can begin and continue practice without additional steps.
Likewise, accreditation agencies recognize programs that meet industry-wide standards. These standards include learning outcomes and readiness for the NCLEX-RN examination.
Can I get financial aid to help pay for my LPN to BSN program in Florida?
Reliable financial aid can make a big impact on your education and career. By reducing the overall costs, scholarships, grants, and other awards lessen the financial burden following graduation. Fortunately, there are several avenues to explore. The best method is to start narrow and specific, and then widen your search as needed.
Begin with the individual schools. Some may extend nursing-specific awards to new and incoming students. If they don’t, professional organizations like the Florida Nurses Association also provide scholarships and grants. Some employers may offer some form of assistance. See our main financial aid page and our nursing scholarship guide for more information on opportunities like these and how to secure them.
Inside Look at Online LPN to BSN Programs in Florida
Online or hybrid learning will likely occur in the early stages of the program, reserving more hands-on and immersive experiences for later in the program. Most online LPN to BSN programs in Florida adopt this approach as a way of scaffolding instruction and training. This means you will complete academic coursework in a virtual environment – synchronous, asynchronous, or some combination of the two, giving you the opportunity to focus on building your core knowledge base in a flexible and convenient way.
Some online LPN to BSN programs in Florida require campus visits early on – orientation sessions and the like – but overall most programs don’t require travel until clinical training. At that point, you will receive a supervised placement at a facility that requires sustained in-person attendance. See our online LPN to BSN program page for more information on this.
Common Questions About Online LPN to BSN Programs in Florida
Are hybrid and online LPN programs more affordable than campus programs in Florida?
Both in-person and hybrid/online programs cost about the same on paper. But it’s worth looking beyond tuition rates alone to determine potential savings. Studying online not only saves time, but it can also save you money in the long run. Think, for example, about the money you won’t need to spend on transportation commuting to and from campus.
Can I finish my LPN to BSN program in Florida faster by taking coursework online?
Possibly. Transfer students and those with a substantial amount of coursework under their belt stand to benefit the most from this. If you’re able to immediately move to academic coursework and can complete those requirements online, that means you can begin clinical training much faster.
Will earning my LPN to BSN degree online or through a hybrid program impact my ability to get certified or licensed?
Online LPN to BSN programs in Florida don’t impact your licensure eligibility or your professional standing. As long as you attend a program with accreditation and state approval, you will be well-positioned to expand your scope and move beyond the LPN role. Online programs use the same content and learning outcomes as in-person offerings.
Will employers care if I took some of my LPN to BSN classes online?
No. Employers look for qualified, competent nurses that can provide quality care in a variety of circumstances. They do this by hiring candidates licensed by the Florida Board of Nursing, a credential you will hold following graduation and successful completion of the NCLEX-RN. The way your courses are delivered, whether they were online or in-person, will not be a major point of consideration.
How Do I Go from Being an LPN to a BSN Nurse in Florida?
Once you graduate, you will need to complete all the steps for licensure by examination outlined by the Florida Board of Nursing. Empowered by state law, this board licenses, monitors, and educates all nursing professionals in the Sunshine State. Once you obtain an initial licensure, you must maintain it through periodic renewal by completing continuing education requirements. The requirements for initial licensure include:
- Graduation from an approved and accredited program
- Application submission and payment of fees
- Submission of electronic fingerprint records
- Successful completion of the NCLEX-RN exam
The board issues initial licenses 7-10 days following NCLEX-RN results.
LPN to BSN Salary and Employment Trends in Florida
This section answers a few FAQs on career outlook and potential pay based on the most up-to-date data for nurses in Florida. It looks at projected job growth trends and focuses on how elevating your professional status with a BSN can increase your earning power.
How much more can I make going from an LPN to BSN in Florida?
Increases in pay are commensurate with the additional skill, experience, and responsibility you gain by earning a BSN and transitioning into a new role. The recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data compiled in the table below bears this out. LPNs in Florida currently earn just over $45,000 annually–a little less than the average annual wage for all occupations statewide, which is currently $47,000. By contrast, registered nurses with a BSN across the state see an annual earnings increase of 45%, bringing home over $65,000 each year. That salary gap varies across the state, with the widest gap at 65% in the Naples area.
| LPN Median Annual Earnings |
RN Median Annual Earnings |
Annual % Earnings Increase |
|
| Florida | $45,330 | $65,830 | 45% |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $44,390 | $70,600 | 59% |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $38,170 | $58,380 | 53% |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $42,890 | $57,700 | 35% |
| Gainesville, FL | $46,840 | $68,600 | 46% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $44,150 | $62,150 | 41% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $44,600 | $62,480 | 40% |
| Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL | $42,480 | $60,760 | 43% |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $47,600 | $68,550 | 44% |
| Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island, FL | $44,890 | $74,230 | 65% |
| North Port-Sarasota-Bradenton, FL | $44,860 | $66,780 | 49% |
| Ocala, FL | $45,380 | $62,480 | 38% |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $45,320 | $65,460 | 44% |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $44,140 | $130.580 | 52% |
| Panama City, FL | $37,860 | $$60,200 | 59% |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $44,270 | $60,470 | 37% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $48,570 | $66,000 | 36% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $43,140 | $69,990 | 62% |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach, FL | $46,450 | $54,410 | 17% |
| Sebring, FL | $37,350 | $42,300 | 13% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $41,020 | $61,820 | 51% |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $45,450 | $67,750 | 49% |
| The Villages, FL | $45,470 | $64,680 | 42% |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2019
What’s the job market like for BSN nurses in Florida vs. LPNs?
While the job outlook for nurses looks positive across the board, those with a BSN see higher growth rates – a bump of nearly 5% according to the latest data. According to projections, Florida will add over 30,000 new jobs for these nursing professionals in coming years.
Florida remains one of the top states currently employing nurses but is seeing effects from a nationwide nursing shortage first identified by the AACN. This is due in part to the aging Baby Boomer population. According to the Pew Research Center nearly 10,000 Boomers turn 65 each day and, as Forbes reports, once they retire quite a few of them move to Florida. Graduates of LPN to BSN nursing programs in Florida can help meet demand by entering a job market that will continue to see growth for years to come.
| Employment (2018) |
New Jobs (2018- 2028) |
Job Growth Rate (2018 – 2028) |
Average Annual Openings (2018 – 2028) |
|
| LPNs in Florida | 49,320 | 5,890 | 11.90% | 4,570 |
| RNs in Florida | 189,820 | 30,530 | 16.1% | 14,000 |
Source: Projections Central