The Top Nursing School in Tampa, FL: Online & Campus
Learn what the best nursing school in Tampa, Florida has to offer, including online nursing programs, financial aid, flexibility, and more.
You already know that nursing provides more in the way of great salaries, job security, and growth potential than just about any other profession, that’s why you’re looking into starting — or advancing — your career in the field. Moreover, you’d be hard pressed to find another career that empowers you to make such a positive impact on your community.
You also know, however, that taking your nursing career to new heights means earning a college degree. Luckily, as a Tampa resident, you won’t have to go far to do so at a top school. In fact, as an online nursing student, you won’t even have to leave home.
In this guide, we’ll introduce you to Tampa’s top nursing program and the career opportunities — and earning potential — it can open up for you. Discover the benefits to earning your nursing degree online, and continue reading to check out the school that made it onto our list.
University of South Florida
Tampa, Florida
Public
Types of Nursing Programs Available in Tampa, Florida
There are a lot of different nursing programs in Tampa, FL, so how do you know which one to choose? Depending on your career goals, each degree will be suited to a different outcome. Below we’ve listed the basic nursing programs and outcomes to help you determine which one would suit you best.
Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Tampa
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An Associate in Nursing program takes approximately two years of full-time study to complete compared to the four years required for a bachelor’s degree. You can become a registered nurse with an ADN. The curriculum typically focuses mainly on clinical day-to-day tasks, monitoring patients, and updating charts. Anything beyond that will typically require a more advanced degree.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)
A BSN program usually takes four years of full-time study to complete. Although the general curriculum is the same as an ADN, a bachelor’s degree program offers more in-depth study and is the preferred RN degree by many employers. A BSN also prepares you for leadership roles and furthering your education with more advanced nursing programs.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
Accelerated BSN Programs
Accelerated BSN programs are condensed programs typically for those who already have a bachelor’s degree and want to become a registered nurse. This program takes one to two years to complete, not including any prerequisite courses required. Upon completion, a student will have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in addition to their other degree.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
Nursing Bridge Programs in Tampa for Current Nurses
LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs
An LPN to RN or an LPN to BSN program is for licensed vocational nurses seeking to become registered nurses. These bridge programs are especially helpful as they take the skills and knowledge you already have and use them to shorten the time needed to obtain a BSN degree.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
RN to BSN Programs
An RN to BSN bridge program is for students who already have their nursing license and are seeking to obtain a BSN. This bridge program is perfect for students wanting to advance their career and education within a short period of time, approximately 12 months. This program takes all of the education you learned when you got licensed and plugs it into a BSN.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
RN to MSN Programs
RN to MSN programs take approximately three years and are for students with a nursing license/BSN seeking to obtain a master’s degree. While bachelor’s in nursing programs focus on nursing in general, an MSN is more specialized and is perfect for those looking to advance their career in a specific field.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
Advanced Nursing Programs in Tampa
Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)
The Master of Science in Nursing is more specialized than a general nursing BSN degree. There are basic MSN programs for students with bachelor’s degrees as well as direct-entry MSN degrees for students who have studied in other areas. Professionals with MSN degrees typically earn higher salaries than those with BSNs and are allowed specializations within the field.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs
A DNP or PhD doctoral program in nursing is a terminal degree for those wanting to seek the highest occupations and education levels in the nursing field. Nurses with this degree usually occupy the highest nursing expertise roles or leadership roles in the healthcare industry.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates
Post-graduate certificates are for students who already have a graduate degree and are interested in pursuing further specializations or concentrations. These may be required for some occupations and can be obtained with either an MSN or a DNP degree.
Examples of Tampa Nursing Schools With This Program
Inside Look at Online Nursing Schools in Tampa, Florida
Nursing programs are popular, and more of them are being adapted to online learning. Students love the adaptability and convenience of online learning. A variety of nursing programs are available online from ADNs to DNPs, so no matter what you’re interested in, you can find something that fits.
Online programs are taken in semesters or over summer break. All coursework, exams, and assignments can be completed online. However, any clinical rotations or real-world experience will have to be coordinated with an institution in your area to get the credit you need. Students taking an online nursing program have the flexibility to study whenever and wherever they want, they’ll have access to many online resources, and most programs don’t require any on-campus visits at all.
FAQs About Online Nursing Schools in Tampa, FL
Can I earn my nursing degree in Tampa completely online?
There are several academic institutions that allow you to complete all coursework and assignments online. However, clinical experiences are required for a nursing degree so those will still have to be done in person at an approved clinical location or at the home school. Be sure to check each school for its specific requirements.
Will my online Tampa nursing degree be considered less valuable by employers?
Universities work hard to make sure their online programs are equal to their on-campus programs. The curriculum remains the same, and some of the professors even remain the same. An online nursing degree should not be valued any more or less than a traditional degree by employers or anyone else as the knowledge and skills you learn are the same.
Are online nursing programs in Tampa more affordable than campus programs?
Online nursing programs will typically cost the same as campus programs when it comes to tuition except for the few rare schools that have online students pay out-of-state tuition. However, you can save money in other areas like housing and commuting when you take online programs instead of on-campus programs.
Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Tampa, Florida
Attending college is a huge financial commitment, so it might be a good idea to know how you’re going to pay for it. Fortunately, there are many financial aid options available for all kinds of students, including nursing scholarships that don’t require taking out huge student loans. If you’re currently working in the healthcare field, it’s worth asking your employer if they have some kind of tuition assistance program. Federal grants, as well as private and public scholarships, are also available. There may also be specific nursing scholarships available at the school you choose to attend so be sure to research all of your options.
How to Become an RN in Tampa: Licensing Requirements
City nursing licensure requirements should closely, if not perfectly, follow state requirements. To earn your nursing license in Tampa, Florida, students need to graduate from a state-approved nursing program, submit a licensure application that includes a criminal history report and background check, receive approval to take the NCLEX-RN exam, and take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam. Once the exam has been passed, students will receive their license within seven to 10 days. For more detailed instruction please visit our guide to nursing programs in Florida.
How Much Can You Make as an RN in Tampa, FL?
As a Registered Nurse (RN) in the Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area, you can expect earnings that are slightly above Florida's statewide averages. Entry-level RNs (10th percentile) in Tampa earn approximately $65,340, which is higher than the state’s starting salary of $63,520. The median salary in Tampa is $82,320, compared to Florida's median of $80,960, providing a small advantage for mid-career nurses in the region. For experienced RNs in the top 10%, salaries reach $105,770, just above the statewide high of $105,580. These figures make Tampa a strong option for RNs looking for slightly higher-than-average earnings, along with the area's diverse healthcare job market.
| Area | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $63,520 | $80,960 | $105,580 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $65,340 | $82,320 | $105,770 |
Source: Registered Nurses, Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2023, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Data based on national numbers, not school-specific information.
Additional Tampa, FL Nursing Resources
The FNA partners with other organizations that share their vision to create a unified nursing advocacy program for all nurses in the state of Florida.
NNU was organized in 2009 and is the largest union and professional association of registered nurses in U.S. history. They advocate for patient care conditions and nursing standards.
Tampa Bay Advanced Practice Nurses Council
TBAPNC provides excellent opportunities for professional development for all advanced practice nurses which includes: nurse practitioners, certified nurse midwives, certified nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists.
Visiting Nurse Association of Florida
The VNA of Florida is a group of nurses who are dedicated to providing quality help and service to Florida’s aging population.
