LPN to RN Online Programs in FL: Browsing Top Schools
If you’re a working Florida LPN with aspirations to become a registered nurse, we’re here to help. We’ll introduce you to the convenience and affordability of getting the education and training you need through an online LPN to RN bridge program. Below, you’ll find information on Florida LPN to RN programs currently featuring online study, along with advice and information to help you choose the right one.
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Expert Advice: Choosing the LPN-to-RN Bridge Program in Florida that Fits Your Life
The LPN-to-RN bridge programs in this guide represent strong options for Florida nurses ready to advance. Getting to the right one means thinking about more than rankings: clinical placement locations, schedule flexibility, and how well the program’s pacing works alongside your current nursing job all matter. Our EduMed experts share what they’d think through before applying.
Prepare for the IV Prerequisite
In Florida, the IV therapy prerequisite catches many hopeful RNs off guard. Most programs require documented IV certification and sometimes proof of recent IV starts before you can apply. If you’re currently working in a setting where IV skills aren’t part of your daily practice, I’d recommend getting your certification and logging practice hours well before you apply so you aren’t delayed.
Confirm Program Admission Requirements Early
Florida LPN-to-RN bridge programs can have stricter admission requirements than other states, and some programs require your LPN training to be recent, sometimes within the last three years, along with a current IV therapy certification. If it’s been a while since you graduated, look into those requirements early, so you’re not scrambling before the application window opens.
Uncovering Florida’s Online LPN to RN Bridge Programs
Online LPN to RN programs are a popular way for practical nurses to get the education they need to advance their careers by becoming registered nurses (RNs). That’s because they offer students greater convenience and flexibility in their studies than traditional campus-based programs.
During your program search, though, you’ll discover that “online” LPN to RN programs in Florida are not entirely online. Due to the hands-on nature of nursing practice, you’ll be required to complete in-person learning activities, including:
- Skills labs (and some nursing classes): attended on your school’s campus
- Clinical training: held at program-affiliated medical facilities near your home or in your school’s local area
We’ve profiled three of Florida’s online LPN to RN bridge programs below to show how these programs employ distance learning components.
Eastern Florida State College
The 13-month Transition to Associate Degree Nursing RN program at Eastern Florida State College offers a quick way for current LPNs to earn their associate degree and qualify for the NCLEX-RN exam.
Students complete two transition courses, after which they are awarded 16 credits for four foundational nursing courses required in the standard ADN program. Students then continue to complete the remaining ADN curriculum described below.
The degree requires 72 credits, including the 16 awarded transition credits. Coursework is delivered in a hybrid format that combines online elements with classes and labs attended during the day on EFSC’s Melbourne campus.
Students additionally take part in clinical experiences at local healthcare facilities.
Duration: 13 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost: $10,867.50. (incl. tuition, fees, uniforms and equipment, and course materials)
Admissions Requirements:
- Florida LPN license
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Graduate from a regionally accredited LPN program
- TEAS test score of 69% or higher in Reading Comprehension
- Minimum of two years of LPN experience within the last three years
- American Heart Association Healthcare Provider CPR Card
- Criminal background check
- Drug screening
- Immunizations
Curriculum:
- Transition Nursing + Clinical
- Fundamentals of Nursing Concepts
- Nursing Math and Pharmacology
- Basic Medical-Surgical Nursing
- Advanced Medical-Surgical Nursing + Clinical
- Clinical Judgment & Critical Care
- Maternal, Newborn, and Pediatric Nursing + Clinical
- Leadership and Management Nursing Capstone + Clinical
- Transcultural and Community Health Nursing + Study Abroad
Rasmussen College
Rasmussen College is a private school with campuses throughout the U.S., including five in Florida. Rasmussen offers its Professional Nursing Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN/RN) program in a hybrid format that combines online courses with campus-attended lab simulations and clinical experiences.
Earning the ADN degree requires completing 102 total general education credits and core nursing courses. However, students entering the program with a valid LPN license are awarded 12 credits for three courses in the regular ADN curriculum.
LPN students can complete all degree requirements in as few as 18 months, depending on the number of previously earned general education credits transferred into the program (up to 42 is allowed) and several courses taken each term.
Duration: 18 months
Mode: Hybrid
Cost:$449/credit
Admissions Requirements:
- LPN license
- TEAS exam scores
- Physical exam
- Immunizations
- Criminal background screening
- Basic Life Saving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certification with Defibrillator
Curriculum:
- Essentials of Pathophysiology
- Physical Assessment
- Nursing Care of the Older Adult
- Multidimensional Care II & III
- Mental and Behavioral Health Nursing
- Pharmacology for Professional Nursing
- Maternal-Child Nursing
- Professional Nursing Skills II
- Multidimensional Care IV
- Leadership and Professional Identity
- Associate Degree in Nursing Capstone
St. John’s River State College
Practical nurses with a current LPN license can jump-start their RN educations through the LPN to ASN program at St John’s River State College.
Through its participation in the Florida Department of Education’s Statewide Articulation Agreement, the program awards students 10 credits for their LPN license toward completion of program requirements, allowing them to complete their degree studies with a total of 62 credits in as few as four semesters.
The program is presented in a hybrid format, with classes held online and on SJR State’s campus in St. Augustine. Class sessions are held on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons.
In addition, students participate in 12-hour in-person clinicals held one day each week at healthcare facilities located throughout the school’s tri-county area. The program begins once annually in the fall.
Duration: One year
Mode: Hybrid
Cost:$78.84/-$315.53 (residency-dependent)
Admissions Requirements:
- Florida or compact LPN license
- HESI scores
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Criminal and professional background check
- Drug screen
- American Heart Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (CPR and AED)
- Physical exam
- Proof of liability/malpractice insurance
Curriculum:
- LPN Transition
- Clinical Pharmacology
- Adult Health Nursing II
- Mental Health Nursing
- Adult Health Nursing III & IV
- Parent-Child Nursing
- Transitional Nursing
Answering LPN to RN Bridge Program FAQs
The profiles above show how distance learning works in Florida’s online LPN to RN programs. To fill you in on a few things not included in the profiles, here are the answers to five questions often asked by prospective students about LPN to RN programs generally and the process for obtaining your Florida RN license.
What are the admissions requirements for LPN to RN bridge programs in Florida?
You’ll discover in your LPN to RN bridge program search that each program has its own admissions requirements. Common requirements include the following.
- Licensure: LPN license (Florida LPN license required for most programs)
- Education: Completion of an accredited LPN program, as well as general education and prerequisite coursework in subjects such as biology, anatomy, and physiology
- Grades: Minimum GPA figures for previously completed coursework
- Training: Professional practice experience as an LPN, and documentation of required clinical experience
Programs may also require applicants to take the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) to help determine if the applicant needs to complete additional prerequisites before admission.
Is it possible to get financial aid to help pay for my Florida LPN to RN program?
Yes, many financial aid resources are available to students in LPN to RN programs. Included are loans, scholarships and grants, tuition reimbursement and payment plans, and more. But these resources are only available to you if you qualify for them.
The best way to learn about your funding opportunities is to contact the financial aid offices at the school whose LPN to RN programs you’re interested in. You’ll also find information online for potential financial aid resources. Examples include:
- U.S. Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
- Florida Department of Health
- Florida Nurses Association
Will I have to complete clinical requirements for my online LPN to RN bridge program in Florida?
Yes. As an LPN, you know nursing is all about direct patient care. So, it’s no surprise that your LPN to RN program will include substantial clinical practice requirements in which you’ll hone your newly taught RN skills.
Here’s what you should know about clinical requirements:
- Hours: Total number of clinical hours required can vary substantially (anywhere from 500 to 900) depending on the specific program; Working LPNs may be able to meet clinical requirements through their current employer
- Location: Clinicals are attended in program-approved medical settings such as hospitals, long-term care facilities, surgical centers, and outpatient clinics
How do I obtain my Florida RN license?
The Florida Board of Nursing (FOB) oversees the state’s registered nurse licensing process. Generally speaking, you will take the following steps to obtain your Florida RN license:
- Earn a degree: Complete a state-approved Florida-based or out-of-state nursing program.
- Pass an exam: Take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam.
- Pay fees: Apply for licensure and pay the application fee through the Florida Department of Health.
- Other: Meet all other licensure requirements, including three years of active nursing practice during the four years immediately before license application submission. Applicants must also complete the background screening process.
The complete requirements for obtaining your Florida registered nurse license are in Section 464.008 of the Florida Statutes.
Expert Insight
Applying for an RN license should feel very familiar as it is similar to the LPN licensure process. Generally, the fees are higher for RN licenses, and this time around you’ll need to submit proof of a nursing degree.
What is the NCLEX-RN exam like?
Pearson/VUE is the company that administers both the NCLEX-PN and NCLEX-RN exams. And in terms of the registration process and test format, the two exams are very similar. So, as a licensed practical nurse, you’re already familiar with what taking the NCLEX-RN will be like.
The subject matter is also similar:
- NCLEX-RN: focuses more on patient assessment and management
- NCLEX-PN: focuses primarily on basic patient care
Visit the official NCLEX website for exam details.
Nursing Careers: Florida Salary Insights
| Area | Occupation | 10th Percentile | Median | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | LPNs/LVNs | $50,450 | $61,770 | $74,320 |
| RNs | $67,970 | $84,190 | $120,330 |
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics
| Area | Occupation | Curr.Jobs | Proj.Jobs | NewJobs | Growth % | Avg. Ann.Openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | RNs | 202,780 | 228,070 | 25,290 | 12.50% | 14,110 |
| LPNs/LVNs | 37,770 | 42,580 | 4,810 | 12.70% | 3,520 |
Source: Projections Central
Top Online LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Florida
Finding the best online LPN to RN program in Florida for you starts by taking a look at the best programs in the state period. We’ve surveyed the entire lineup of Florida LPN to RN programs, including online components, and ranked the best below.
Our selections were made by considering several student-focused elements, including:
- Affordability
- Academic quality
- Study convenience
- Access to valuable educational and career support services
Click the “About the ranking” button to learn more about selection methodology.
