10 Best Florida FNP Programs (Online & Campus) – 2024
Written By: Editorial Staff @ NursingProcess.org
If you’re a registered nurse in Florida wondering what your next career move should be, FNP programs in Florida have a lot to recommend them. As an FNP, you’ll be in a position to offer primary care, health promotion and disease prevention to diverse communities within the Sunshine State. You’ll make a good salary, too: $110,040 a year on average. Demand for your services is only going to increase: In the next 10 years, it’s projected that Florida is going to need 71 percent more FNPs than it has today. Get started by looking at this list of the 10 best FNP programs in Florida for 2024.
FOLLOWING ARE THE 10 BEST FNP PROGRAMS IN FLORIDA (ONLINE & CAMPUS) FOR 2024
(Based on our Ranking Methodology, we have ranked the 10 best campus-based and online FNP programs in Florida.)
1. South University, Tampa
If you looking at enrolling in one of the best FNP programs in Florida then you may want to consider South University Tampa. As an FNP student here, not only will you graduate with exceptional clinical skills that are in demand within Florida’s healthcare sector but you will also gain from the intra and interdisciplinary learning experiences which eventually help to improve patient outcomes in a diverse environment.
MSN Program Details: This MSN trains you to provide community-based primary care to individuals across the lifespan. To be eligible for this program you must be a BSN graduate with a current RN license in Florida. The curriculum comprises 20 credits in MSN core courses and 22 credits in advanced practice courses, making it a total of 42 credits to graduate. Also, you must complete 780 hours in clinical practice to master the skills required to work as an FNP in Florida.
RN to MSN Program Details: As an RN who does not hold a BSN degree, do you wish to advance your nursing career in primary care? This RN to MSN can be suitable as with this program you can earn a BSN along with your MSN-FNP degree. The college acknowledges the general education courses completed in your ADN for which you may receive transfer credits. As such you are required to earn 233 total program credits, however, the exact requirements will depend on the number of credits transferred from your previous degree. Precisely, to complete your undergraduate education you must complete a minimum of 36 credits, after which you are required to earn 20 credits in MSN core courses, finally moving forward to complete the 42 FNP credits. The remaining program credits comprise general education and foundational courses.
Post Graduate Certificate Program Details: Presuming you are an MSN graduate holding an APRN license in another specialty, are you searching for online FNP programs in Florida that can train you in advanced primary care without having to attend school? Well, then this certificate can be a befitting choice as in 16 months of online study, the program prepares you to offer primary care to families of all ages. Upon completing the 42 credits of coursework, you will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam.
2. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
Whether you are aspiring a promising career advancement in nursing or desiring to transform healthcare, Florida Atlantic University’s evidence-based FNP programs will help you reach your goal of clinical leadership. Here, you will be trained through a choice of part-time and fulltime classes, so you can continue to fulfill personal responsibilities while juggling higher education. Also, with most of the core coursework being offered online, you are required to make travel arrangements to the campus just a few number of times.
You can pursue a career as an FNP in Florida by completing either of the two programs offered by the college.
MSN Program Details: To enter into this MSN program you must have completed a BSN and have an unencumbered RN license in Florida. The 49-credit curriculum which is grounded in care & compassion includes courses in nursing research, leadership, policy & finance, advanced health assessment, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapeutics. Moving forward into the coursework you complete FNP-specific courses in primary care of patients across the lifespan. Finally, to earn your degree, you are also required to complete 600 clinical hours under the supervision of a mentor.
BSN to DNP Program Details: This program is ideal if you have completed your baccalaureate nursing education and aspire to take the next step into advanced practice nursing. With the goal of preparing you for evidence-based care of the vulnerable, underserved & culturally diverse populations, you are required to complete the 81 credits and 1000 clinical hours to earn your DNP degree with the FNP credential.
3. University of Miami, Coral Gables
University of Miami's FNP programs, counted among the best Florida FNP programs stand out for their simulation learning and varied clinical experiences across 250 prominent healthcare sites across South Florida. This broad-ranging experience allows you to develop critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills that prepare you to offer evidence-based care in complex healthcare systems. Also, here, you will study in a culturally rich environment where FNP students come from diverse backgrounds and ethnicities.
MSN Program Details: The MSN program starts in fall as well as spring with part-time and full-time schedule options. The 37-credit curriculum comprises of 25 didactic and 12 clinical credits. Some of the courses you take include advanced pharmacology, pathophysiology, advanced health assessment, and advanced practice courses in the primary care of patients starting from pediatrics to gerontology.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: If you are keen on expanding your masters in nursing to advanced primary care, then you can consider completing courses related to the FNP specialty with this post-master’s certificate. The required credits for this program are individualized based on the previous courses you have completed. Once the plan of study is specified you are required to complete specific courses according to the plan, after which you will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam.
4. University of South Florida, Tampa
Well-known for offering one of the best FNP programs in Florida, the University of South Florida has been committed to producing future-ready nurses who work towards improving health at the local, state, and national levels. The nursing school designs its education to be comprehensive, allowing FNP students to participate in research development, case management, and implementation of health policy. It currently offers two FNP programs in Florida - an MSN and a BSN to DNP.
MSN Program Details: This is a 52-credit curriculum that takes you through core and FNP-specific courses. The FNP courses teach you health management of adults & older adults, primary care of children & adolescents, reproductive health for the young to middle ages, and health management of families. Ideally, this program is meant for BSN graduates with an RN license, however, you can still apply if you are an RN with a bachelor’s degree in another discipline, in which case you must complete bridge courses before starting with the MSN coursework.
BSN to DNP Program Details: The highest terminal degree in nursing can be achieved with this BSN to DNP pathway. To graduate you must complete a minimum of 75 credits in courses comprising 42 core courses, 18 credits in FNP specific courses, 3 credits in practice management, an 8-credit practicum, and finally, 4 credits in a doctoral project. Also, you must complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical practice.
5. Florida International University, Miami
As an aspiring FNP are you shortlisting FNP programs in Florida that focus on global health with an emphasis on the needs of the underserved populations? With Florida International University you can gain an education that prepares you for advanced primary care, emphasizing interdisciplinary healthcare and its integration to better health outcomes across all sections of the global population, particularly the underserved. Through its BSN to DNP and post-master’s certificate, you can acquire the knowledge and skills of an FNP and work towards health promotion and disease prevention for patients across the lifespan.
BSN to DNP Program Details: With this BSN to DNP degree you can graduate with not only one but two degrees of an MSN-FNP and a DNP. You enter this program as a BSN prepared RN and on completing six semesters you earn the MSN and then proceed to complete the advanced practice, and FNP courses, then sit for the certification exam and finally earn your degree by completing the DNP courses. The program requires completing 81 credits and 1,310 clinical hours.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: This post-master certificate builds on your master’s level nursing knowledge and prepares you with specialized skills in the primary care of individuals and families across the lifespan. To earn your degree, you must earn a minimum of 36 credits after which you will be eligible to take the FNP certification exam.
6. Barry University, Miami Shores
Ever thought of independent practice as a licensed family nurse practitioner in Florida? Well, with Barry University you can progress from a registered nurse to an advanced practice nurse who can autonomously provide primary care to patients of all ages. The college stresses on clinical expertise and provides students with varied hands-on experiences, including conducting clinical pelvic and prostate exams on real patients. It currently offers the following four types of FNP programs in Florida.
MSN Program Details: Although ideally, you must have earned a BSN to enter this program, even RNs with a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field can apply. This FNP program in Florida requires completion of 48 credits which span across three years. Besides, you can take additional coursework of six credits if you wish to obtain an independent practice license in Florida.
Post-Master’s DNP Program Details: To qualify for this program you must be either an NP, nurse-midwife, or a nurse executive who has earned an MSN or higher. This DNP is intended to deepen your knowledge of evidence-based practice and prepare you as a clinical leader. The coursework is offered as a combination of offline and online classes, allowing you to continue working while pursuing this advanced degree.
Post-Baccalaureate DNP Program Details: As a BSN prepared RN in Florida you not only gain the eligibility to enroll in this BSN to DNP program, but you also qualify for a 30% discount on tuition fees. This practice-focused terminal degree spans across 12 semesters and is offered only on a part-time basis. Graduation requires completing 76 credits and approximately 1000 hours in clinical practice.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: You can apply for this post-master’s certificate after completing your MSN. The course requirements will depend on your previously completed coursework, regardless of which, a minimum of 54 credits is required to earn your degree as an FNP.
7. University of Central Florida, Orlando
University of Central Florida prepares you for leadership in nursing through its evidence-based BSN to DNP and post-master certificate FNP programs in Florida. The college uses the hybrid model of teaching offering most of the courses online with campus visits limited to two each semester. Regardless of the pathway, this FNP program in Florida boasts of an impressive academic outcome, with 100 percent of its graduates passing the FNP certification exam on the first attempt.
BSN to DNP Program Details: You must have an accredited BSN and an RN license in FL to be eligible for this program. The program is offered with an option of full-time and part-time classes, full-time taking 9 semesters, and part-time spanning across 12 semesters. To earn your DNP degree with an advanced primary care credential you must complete 74 credits and 1020 clinical hours.
Post-Master's Certificate Program Details: This program is meant for an MSN graduate who is a licensed APRN and desires to add the FNP specialty. The coursework focuses on evidence-based knowledge & leadership and requires completing a total of 22 credits and 720 hours of clinical practice. You can complete this program in five semesters, taking classes on a part-time basis. As a program graduate, you will be well prepared to work in the current healthcare environment.
8. Florida Gulf Coast University, Fort Myers
Advanced primary care education at Florida Gulf Coast University equips you with a solid scientific foundation that helps develop critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills. The BSN to DNP-FNP program offered by the college qualifies for the Nurse Faculty Loan Program, so upon graduation, if you are willing to serve as full-time faculty for four consecutive years, you can have part of your student loan waived off.
So, you have completed your BSN and worked as an RN and now, you are ready to take your nursing career to the highest possible level but do not where to start, well then this BSN to DNP program may be your best bet. Also, to apply you do not require a GRE score, which makes it rather feasible for a working nurse who does not intend to take the test. The program is available as part-time and full-time schedule options, with the coursework delivered in a combination of on-campus and online formats. Upon enrollment, you must complete around 81 to 84 credits with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Also, during the 3 years of full-time or 4 years of part-time study, you are required to complete 1020 hours of clinical practice. The program culminates with a DNP project which you must complete in the last semester.
9. Nova Southeastern University, Ft Lauderdale
Do you see yourself as someone who can create an impact within the healthcare field? If so, you can improve the health of our community by completing your FNP training from Nova Southeastern University. Through its FNP programs in Florida, the college prepares you to offer advanced evidence-based primary care in a dynamic healthcare environment.
MSN Program Details: An unencumbered RN license along with at least one year of work experience as a working nurse who has completed a BSN makes you the perfect candidate for this MSN program. However, you can even apply if you are a registered nurse with a non-nursing bachelor’s degree, for which upon enrollment, you must complete bridge courses before starting with the MSN core coursework. The MSN-FNP program requires completing 51 credits in core, advanced practice, and FNP-specific courses.
BSN to DNP Program Details: With this BSN to DNP program you can achieve doctoral education seamlessly within nine semesters. To qualify for this program, you must have completed your BSN with a minimum GPA of 3.0. The 75-credit curriculum educates in health promotion & disease prevention, behavioral health, primary care for individuals, families, & communities across the life span and translating evidence for clinical practice. Also, you will learn to lead in complex healthcare systems and manage healthcare informatics to improve the health of a diverse patient population.
10. The University of Tampa, Tampa
Whether you aspire to climb the career ladder or simply want to make a difference by offering advanced nursing care, University of Tampa has got you covered. Known as one of the leading FNP programs in Florida, apart from thoroughly training you in the clinical skills, the nursing school prepares you as a holistic and culturally relevant advanced practice nurse. The school’s many clinical partners in the Tampa Bay area which include the area’s well-known healthcare facilities provide for the perfect learning ground as FNP students engage in varied hands-on experiences to gain valuable real-world knowledge and understanding.
The MSN program is designed keeping the working nurse in mind. As a registered RN who has completed a BSN degree, you can enter this program and complete it conveniently on a part-time basis while juggling work commitments. The program requires completing 49 credits in courses including advanced health assessment, clinical reasoning, clinical pharmacology, health promotion & disease prevention, professional issues in advanced practice nursing, and communication in nursing. Specialty specific courses include healthcare management and primary care of infants, children, adolescents, women, adults, & older adults.
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