Written By
Kenya McCullum
- Bio
last updated
You’ve put in the time and work, earned your RN degree, 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 celling. 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.
Wondering if an online Florida RN to BSN program is the right choice for you? This page has everything you need to know about these flexible bridge programs, starting with a list of top-rated schools below. You’ll also learn about 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.
Best Online RN to BSN Programs in Florida for 2023
Just as nurses have different professional interests and goals, nursing schools provide different educational experiences. Not every online RN to BSN program will provide the education that you need to effectively advance in your career, so in order to help you find a program that can take your career to the next level, we have identified schools that offer the best RN to BSN programs in Florida. Continue reading to find out information about what these schools have to offer.
| # | School Name | Type | Cost | Online Programs | More Details | School Information | Online Students | Academic Counseling | Career Placement | Students w/Institutional Aid | Median Earnings 10yrs After Entry | Accreditation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Miami Dade CollegeMiami, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Miami Dade College offers a bachelor’s degree designed for registered nurses who want to gain their bachelor’s degree as fast as possible. If taken full-time, the program can be completed in as little as 12 months. Even if you complete the program on a full-time basis, it’s still designed to fit around a full-time job. Because of this, the program offers flexibility, including some classes which are 100% online. While some classes are fully online, others must be taken on campus or they require campus visits throughout the semester. All classes, no matter the learning format, are synchronous and require in-class participation. Program Highlights: Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 2 | Florida Atlantic UniversityBoca Raton, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Florida Atlantic University offers an accelerated bachelor’s of nursing degree (BSN) which could be perfect for nurses looking to advance their career. Successful applicants must have their RN before starting the program, ideally at the time of application. All coursework is designed to fit around a working nurse’s schedule, though some courses are only offered in person. Other courses are offered online, though they still require in-class participation and are synchronous. In general, the program recommends students allot 20-40 hours a week to their coursework. Upon completing the program, students are ready to advance their nursing career and take on more leadership opportunities in the field. Program Highlights: Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio22/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 3 | The University of West FloridaPensacola, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Registered nurses in Florida looking to get a bachelor’s in nursing should know that there is an accelerated BSN program offered by the University of West Florida. In this program, nurses can get their bachelor’s in less than one year. Getting a bachelor’s of science in nursing can open up new opportunities for professional growth and leadership in the workplace for nurses, but some students find the bachelor’s is hard to complete while working full-time. That’s why the University of West Florida designed their degree to be fully online with asynchronous classes that can be taken on students’ time schedule. The University of West Florida also offers a variety of online resources to help ensure that students succeed in their coursework. Program Highlights: Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio20/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 4 | University of FloridaGainesville, FL | Public | $$$ | 4 | The University of Florida’s bachelor’s of science in nursing has an accelerated path which is designed for those who are already working as RNs. Since successful candidates already have their RN and most likely have a full-time job in nursing, the curriculum is designed to be flexible and not get in the way of students’ work. Because of this, 100% of the program can be taken online. Online coursework is mostly synchronous, though some courses are offered asynchronously. Even synchronous courses are at flexible times to accommodate students’ work schedules. University of Florida’s online courses are more flexible and affordable while offering the same high quality education as their in-person classes. Program Highlights: Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 5 | University of North FloridaJacksonville, FL | Public | $ | 1 | The University of North Florida has developed a faster bachelor's of science in nursing program for students who are already registered nurses. Because many students work while attending this program, the University of North Florida has made it as flexible as possible. The program is fully online and available in an asynchronous format, meaning you can take your courses whenever you have time. Classes are also in eight week semesters, which are shorter than usual, so you can be more flexible about when you start and stop courses. There is also a community experience component of the program in which students choose a community agency in their area where they will complete their community experience hours. Accepted agencies run the gamut from homeless shelters to refugee resettlement programs. Program Highlights: Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
|
Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | |||
| 6 | Chipola CollegeMarianna, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio16/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 7 | College of Central FloridaOcala, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 8 | Daytona State CollegeDaytona Beach, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio19/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 9 | St. Petersburg CollegeClearwater, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio23/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 10 | Pensacola State CollegePensacola, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio24/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 11 | Florida SouthWestern State CollegeFort Myers, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio26/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 12 | Florida State College at JacksonvilleJacksonville, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio23/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 13 | University of Central FloridaOrlando, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio31/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 14 | South Florida State CollegeAvon Park, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio17/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 15 | Northwest Florida State CollegeNiceville, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio23/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 16 | Polk State CollegeWinter Haven, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio25/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 17 | Pasco-Hernando State CollegeNew Port Richey, FL | Public | $ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio28/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC | ||||
| 18 | Keiser University-Ft LauderdaleFort Lauderdale, FL | Private not-for-profit | $$$$ | 1 | Academic CounselingYes |
Career PlacementYes |
Student/ Faculty Ratio15/1 |
AccreditationSACSCOC |
University of Central Florida
With an NCLEX pass rate of 96.64% in 2019, as well a 92 percent rate of graduates staying in Florida after they complete their degrees, there’s no denying the University of Central Florida’s positive impact on the state’s nursing profession. This is not surprising: Since the UCF College of Nursing admitted its first 50 students in 1979, the school has celebrated several accomplishments—including adding several programs on both the graduate and undergraduate levels, enhancing these programs by providing a community-based curriculum through partnerships with community agencies that provide care to those in the state who need it most, and opening skills laboratories that allow students access to the latest diagnostic and monitoring equipment.
When students enroll in the online RN to BSN program at UCF, they get the advantages of this top-notch school along with a curriculum that emphasizes advanced-level skills such as leadership, assessment, mental health nursing, and adult care abilities. This 30-credit program can be completed in a year and a half when students take classes full time.
University of South Florida
Part of USF Health, the University of South Florida’s College of Nursing has around 12,500 alumni—many of which have remained in the Tampa Bay area—who have gone on to work in the community providing clinical care, conducting nursing research, and educating the next generation of nurses. In order to ensure that these graduates are able to excel in the field after completing their degrees, the school has established relationships with over 1,000 clinical partners , which has allowed nursing students to complete more than 110,000 clinical hours annually. This investment has paid off, as USF boasts an NCLEX pass rate of 94.04 percent in 2019.
Students in the RN to BSN program get the opportunity to tailor their coursework based on their interests because of the school’s four clusters: leadership/management, patient/staff education, clinical excellence, and ambulatory care. As a result, whether students are interested in learning about healthcare quality improvement and patient safety; simulation for nursing practice; providing quality care in vulnerable populations based on clinical, legal, and ethical standards; or care in ambulatory facilities, they can get the skills and knowledge they need to pursue their professional goals.
FAQs About RN to BSN Online Florida Programs
Can I earn my RN to BSN degree in Florida 100% online?
Each program has its own requirements regarding how much coursework students can take online. Generally speaking, 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 health care facilities in the community 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 clinical hours completed in a health care setting.
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 affordable programs that give them a real return on their investment. Here’s a look at the tuition rates of some online RN to BSN programs in Florida to give you an idea of what colleges are charging.
How long do online RN to BSN programs take to finish at Florida colleges?
The time it takes students to complete their Florida online RN to BSN program varies depending on the school they enroll in, whether they 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 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, but other criteria for being selected 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.
How much more can I make going from an RN to a BSN nurse in Florida?
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 October 2020, the average hourly rate that is paid to RNs is $29 and the average annual income is $59,420. When Florida nurses advance in their education and earn a BSN, ZipRecruiter reports that they earn an average hourly pay of $35 and an average yearly salary of $85,748.