Top Florida RN to BSN Programs

Usually, nurses begin their careers in the healthcare field by first earning their Associate's Degree in Nursing (ADN). Increasingly, however, healthcare employers want their potential employees to hold Bachelor's of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees, especially for positions that require managerial responsibilities and/or complex tasks. With this in mind, nurses who wish to progress are going back to school to earn a BSN degree so they can stay ahead of the curve, enhance their future career prospects, increase their earning potential, and to position themselves nicely in a job market that's increasingly competitive. To meet the market demand for BSN-educated nurses, universities and colleges have responded by making it easier than ever before for an RN to earn a BSN degree. Nurses can now earn their RN to BSN degrees entirely online, from the comfort of their own homes, while working full-time. But finding a program that suits your needs can be difficult as there are so many out there. To make that process as stress-free and as smooth as possible, we've done the legwork for you and have compiled a list of the top RN to BSN programs in Florida.

How to Choose a Top RN to BSN Program in Florida

Choosing which RN to BSN program to enroll in is a decision that should be taken with the utmost seriousness. Before you decide on which program to attend, consider the following factors:

• Program's student satisfaction rate
• Faculty experience and credentials
• How many students found jobs after graduating (gainful employment info.)
• Tuition cost and associated fees
• Program/institutional accreditation, accolades, and awards
• Amount of time the program has been operating for
• Program's pass rate
• Program's acceptance rate
• Class sizes
• Internship opportunities, hospital partnerships
• Program's retention rate

Testing and Certification

RNs who have graduated from ADN programs are required to pass the NCLEX-RN exam before they become licensed as a registered nurse. As a result, students enrolled in RN to BSN programs aren't required to take the exam again.

List of Top RN to BSN Programs in Florida

1. State College of Florida

State College of Florida is a public college with campuses located in Manatee and Sarasota counties that offer a 38 semester credit hour RN to BSN program that students can enter during Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Courses are delivered entirely online in a 5-week format. In addition to the didactic portion of the program, students are required to complete a 45-hour community health practicum. Core courses that students will tackle during the program include Pharmacology, Informatics in Healthcare, and Leadership and Management in Professional Nursing, among others. SCF's RN to BSN program has been operating since 2010.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

• Manatee Memorial Hospital
• Sarasota Memorial Hospital
• Bradenton Community Based Outpatient Clinic

Tuition:

In-state students enrolled in State College of Florida's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $4,257 in tuition plus additional fees. Out-of-state students can expect to pay about $16,796.

2. University of South Florida

University of South Florida is a public research university located in Tampa Bay that offers students a 30 semester credit hour, online RN to BSN program. The program, which is separated into 15 credits of core nursing courses, 6 credits of cluster nursing courses, and 9 credits of nursing electives, can be completed in a full-time or part-time format. Students that choose the full-time option can expect to complete the program in three semesters whereas those that opt for the part-time option typically finish in five semesters. Courses that students will take during the program include Essentials of Healthcare Leadership and Management, Education Role of the Nurse in Healthcare, and Population Health.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

• Tampa General Hospital
• Memorial Hospital of Tampa
• Tampa Community Hospital

Tuition:

In-state students who enroll in the University of South Florida's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $6,330 in tuition plus additional fees, while out-of-state students can expect to pay about $17,250.

3. Santa Fe College

Santa Fe College is a public community college located in the city of Gainesville that offers a 30 semester credit hour, online RN to BSN program that students can take in a full-time or part-time format. Full-time students can generally finish their coursework in three semesters, while part-time students usually complete the program in five semesters. In addition to the didactic coursework which includes courses like Nursing Research, Community Health Nursing, and Advanced Health Assessment, students are required to complete 90 hours of hands-on clinical experience.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

• UF Health Shands Hospital
• Select Specialty Hospital - Gainesville
• North Florida Regional Medical Center

Tuition:

Santa Fe College's RN to BSN costs roughly $3,793 in tuition, plus additional fees, for in-state students. Out-of-state students can expect to pay about $23,425.

4. Pensacola State College

Pensacola State College is a public college in Pensacola that offers an online program that allows ADN-educated nurses to earn their BSNs. In total, PSC's RN to BSN program is composed of 32 semester credit hours that full-time students can complete in three semesters and part-time students can complete in five semesters. The program's curriculum focuses on evidence-based nursing practice, communication skills, leadership, research methods, and much more. Some courses that students will encounter during the program include Legal & Ethical Issues of Nursing, Nursing Across the Lifespan, and Health Assessment & Physical Appraisal.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

• Baptist Hospital
• Select Specialty Hospital - Pensacola
• Sacred Heart Hospital

Tuition:

In-state students who enroll in Pensacola State University's RN to BSN program can expect to pay roughly $3,840 in tuition plus additional fees. Out-of-state students can expect to pay about $15,552.

5. University of North Florida

University of North Florida is a public university located in the city Jacksonville that offers ADN-educated nurses an RN to BSN bridge program that can be completed entirely online or on-campus. Students who are enrolled full-time can generally complete UNF's 27 semester credit hour program in three semesters. New cohorts are admitted into the program every eight weeks, making it easy to get started. Throughout the program, students will take courses like Health Assessment, Leadership Management Concepts in Nursing, Directed Clinical Study, and more.

Hospitals and healthcare centers in the area currently hiring RNs:

• Memorial Hospital
• UF Health - North
• Baptist Hospital

Tuition:

In-state students who enroll in the University of North Florida's RN to BSN program will pay about $2,835 in tuition plus additional fees. Out-of-state students will pay roughly $12,339.