We've organized a comprehensive list of Florida nursing schools. Below you'll find information on specific nursing programs such as LPN certificates and ADN, BSN, and MSN degrees. You'll also find a profile of nursing education and careers in each major Florida city.
The past decade has seen a steady increase in the quantity and quality of Florida's nursing programs. Nursing is a popular career option in the state, with strong employment prospects and competitive pay. It is important for aspiring nurses to understand the different nursing roles, certifications required, and education programs available.
Nursing assistant
Every member of a medical care team, from physicians to orderlies, has an important role to play in ensuring that patients get the best possible care. Certified nursing assistants (CNAs) are no exception. Whether they work in an in-patient, home, or rehabilitation setting, CNAs are responsible for meeting patients’ basic vital needs – for example, by feeding, clothing, or bathing them. These caring tasks are an indispensable help to patients who face serious health problems.
For our 2020 rankings of LPN programs, the research team at Nursing Schools Almanac compiled an extensive database of student performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Aspiring practical nurses in the United States must pass this examination before they may commence practice. Thus, student performance on the NCLEX-PN exam provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of practical nursing programs.
The registered nurse (RN) plays a critical role in the healthcare system. In a hospital setting, RNs tend to patients’ bedside care, dispense medication, and coordinate teams of nursing staff. Outside of hospitals, RNs work in a range of healthcare settings such as schools, clinics, and social service agencies. The RN’s role has expanded recently as the Affordable Care Act places increased demands upon the country’s hospitals and healthcare providers.
The first step in launching a nursing career is understanding the different pathways available. Below we’ve profiled the three types of nursing education available in the Tampa Bay area of Florida.
Certified nursing assistant
Naples, Florida, offers access to a large concentration of schools that prepare graduates to serve residents of the Naples-Immokalee-Marco Island metropolitan area, and beyond. Some of the top schools for nursing in the area include Hodges University, Lorenzo Walker Technical College, Med-Life Institute School of Nursing – Naples, and Wolford College.
One of the fastest growing nursing roles in the U.S. is nurse practitioner (NP). Of the three most common advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) roles, employment for NPs is projected to grow 36%, versus 20% for nurse midwives and 16% for nurse anesthetists. Overall employment of APRNs is projected to grow 31% from 2016 to 2026.
Margate, Florida, has a thriving nursing industry, with more than 24,000 nurses working in the metropolitan area. The most common roles in the area include registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA). Margate, Florida, RNs typically hold an associate of science in nursing (ASN), associate degree in nursing (ADN), bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) or master of science in nursing (MSN). A license is required in all states. ASN and BSN programs are offered at American College of Health & Sciences.
If you want to qualify for the best nursing jobs, you can start by enrolling in a program at one of the best nursing schools in Lauderhill, Florida. Just a few include Siena College of Health and Carleen Health Institute of South Florida – Lauderhill. Graduates of these and other top programs in the metropolitan area often hired by major employers such as Plantation General Hospital, Holy Cross Hospital, and Northwest Regional Hospital, to name a few.
Healthcare is one of the largest industries in Lakeland, Florida, with nursing leading the pack. In fact, the metropolitan area is home to more than 9,000 nurses working in all roles. The most common include registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA). Of these, the largest group is registered nurses.
Florida is home to more than 324,000 nursing professionals working in all roles. Of this figure, more than 2,200 live and work in the Inverness-Homosassa Springs, metropolitan area. The most common roles in the area are registered nurse (RN), licensed practical nurse (LPN), and certified nursing assistant (CNA). Many of these nurses earned their certificate, diploma or degree at a local school. College of Central Florida - Citrus County, Taylor College, and Withlacoochee Technical College are just a few options.
Homestead is a city in Miami-Dade County, Florida, located between Biscayne National Park to the east and Everglades National Park to the west. Primarily a Miami suburb, Homestead is part of the Miami-Miami Beach-Kendall metropolitan area, and home to around 68,000 inhabitants. This makes it one of the top 40 largest cities in the state. Because it belongs to one America’s top 10 largest counties and one of Florida’s largest metro areas, Homestead offers numerous opportunities to work in thriving industries such as healthcare.
With a population of 152,000, Hollywood is one of Florida’s largest cities. Because more than half of the residents are age 50 and over, the city houses many of the nation’s top healthcare centers. Memorial Regional Hospital and Memorial Regional South, Kindred Hospital South Florida – Hollywood, and Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital are just a few.
Fort Myers is home to more than 77,000 inhabitants, making it one of the top 40 largest cities in Florida. Nearly a third of the population is age 45 and older, with 20 percent of this group ranging from 55 to 85 or older. The city’s aging population, along with an increase in the demand for healthcare services (including an increased emphasis on preventive care), is expected to fuel heavy growth in the healthcare industry in Florida for years to come.
Nurse practitioner (NP) is the fastest advanced practice registered nursing (APRN) role in the U.S. today. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), overall employment of APRNs (nurse anesthetists, nurse midwives, and nurse practitioners) is projected to grow 31% from 2016 to 2026. However, employment for NPs as a separate group is projected to grow 36%, adding a notable 56,000 new jobs by 2026. Salaries are on the rise as well. In 2014, the average salary for NPs was $97,990. By 2016, salaries had increased to $104,610, with high performers earning $120,450-$140,930 or more.