Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida
If you want to become a nurse practitioner in Florida, you're in the right place. This guide lists all the Florida nurse practitioner program options, including their location, tuition, and requirements.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Florida
1. Become a Registered Nurse & Gain Experience
Becoming a nurse practitioner in the Sunshine State is similar to other places. First, you’ll earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree and maintain a Florida registered nursing (RN) license.
Then, you'll earn at least two years of relevant bedside experience before applying to a Florida NP program. This experience will build a foundation of skills and knowledge necessary for your nurse practitioner studies.
2. Attend an Accredited Nurse Practitioner Program
Once you have enough experience, you may attend a nurse practitioner school in Florida. NP programs culminate in a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree. You may select from several nurse practitioner specialties depending on your career goals.
>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
3. Become Certified & Licensed
After graduating from an accredited NP program in Florida, students can sit for national certification exams. The American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC) Family Nurse Practitioner Certification (FNP-BC) is the most common NP certification. However, NPs from other specialties will earn their relevant national certifications.
Then, you'll apply for state licensure via the Florida Board of Nursing website. The cost for licensure is $110, but there may be additional fees depending on verification and dispensing costs.
Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida
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|
School |
Tuition |
Program Length |
Accreditation |
|
University of Central Florida |
$370 - $1,194 per credit hour |
9 - 12 semesters |
CCNE |
|
University of Miami |
$94,000 total |
1 - 2 years |
CCNE |
|
University of West Florida |
$385 - $1,044 per credit hour |
27 - 30 months |
CCNE |
|
Barry University |
$1,050 per credit hour |
27 - 30 months |
CCNE |
|
Jacksonville University |
$750 per credit hour |
24 months |
CCNE |
|
University of St. Augustine |
$5,403-$6,232 per term |
3 - 4 years |
CCNE |
|
Florida Atlantic University |
$372 - $1027 per credit hour |
8 semesters |
CCNE |
|
University of North Florida |
$494 - $1,044 per credit hour |
8 semesters |
CCNE |
|
University of Florida |
$531 - $1,255 per credit hour |
8 - 11 semesters |
CCNE |
|
Florida Southern College |
$650 per credit hour |
6 semesters |
CCNE |
1. University of Central Florida, Orlando
UCF offers a hybrid online nurse practitioner program in Florida. The program takes 9-12 semesters to complete, and students graduate with a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree.
While students attend classes online, the university requires in-person attendance for clinicals, labs, and two on-campus intensives. Additionally, UCF students take all exams in person, which means they must live in the local area.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour
- Resident: $369.65
- Nonresident: $1,194.05
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Email: GradNurseAdvisor@ucf.edu
- Phone Number: (407) 823-2744
2. University of Miami, Coral Gables
The University of Miami offers an excellent Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or DNP family nurse practitioner degree pathway. Although students attend some didactic courses online, the program also requires in-person classes and clinicals.
Students attend clinical rotations throughout the program at various Miami and Broward Counties clinical sites. Additionally, they must complete an online boot camp at the beginning of each semester.
- Application Deadline:
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Email: beacanenurse@miami.edu
- Phone Number: (308) 284-2508
3. University of West Florida, Pensacola
Unlike other online FNP programs in Florida, the University of West Florida does not allow part-time attendance. A full-time course load for graduate students at UWF is six or more credits per semester. Each course lasts 8 to 16 weeks, with 45 total credit hours in the program.
The intensity of this workload can make it difficult for students who need to work while they go to school. Applicants should consider whether they can balance these time demands before applying to UWF.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour
- Florida Resident: $384.60
- Alabama Resident: $489.60
- Nonresident: $1,044.24
- Application Deadlines
- Spring: October 1
- Summer: March 1
- Fall: May 1
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (844) 372-9390
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
4. Barry University, Miami Shores
Barry University offers one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Florida for students on a budget. Not only is it one of the top-ranked MSN schools in the state, but Barry also offers a 25% tuition discount to MSN students.
The university delivers its nurse practitioner coures in a hybrid format, with a mix of online and in-person requirements. Students may select from a family or adult-gerontology acute care NP track. Both nurse practitioner pathways culminate in an MSN degree.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Phone Number: (305) 899-3000
5. Jacksonville University, Jacksonville
The FNP program at Jacksonville University offers part-time and full-time attendance options. Ergo, students may learn at their own pace and continue working throughout the program.
Jacksonville University teaches students through didactic instruction, clinical experience, and its state-of-the-art simulation center. Students must live locally to attend clinical placements in Duval, St. Johns, Clay, and Nassau counties.
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Email: graduateadmissions@ju.edu
- Phone Number: (904) 256-7000
6. University of St. Augustine, St. Augustine
FNP students at the University of St. Augustine can earn an MSN or DNP degree with six start dates annually. This flexibility allows FNP students to create their ideal education plan. Students may also pursue master's level mental health or adult-gerontology nurse practitioner degrees.
- Tuition Per Term
- MSN: $5,403
- DNP: $6,232
- Total Post-Graduate Certificate Tuition: $9,614
- Application Deadline: Rolling Admissions
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Email: Contact Form
7. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
FAU only admits NP students once per year in the fall, making this a highly competitive program. Once accepted, students may not switch between NP concentrations. Therefore, choosing the educational path that suits their career goals before attending is vital for FAU students.
In addition to an NP concentration, students may earn a secondary MSN in education, clinical nurse leadership, or administration. This option requires an additional 30 credits but is substantially less than a traditional program.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour
- Resident: $371.81
- Nonresident: $1026.81
- Application Deadline: February 15th
- School Type: Private
- Contact Information
- Email: (561) 235-1503
- Phone Number: beasleya@health.fau.edu
8. University of North Florida, Jacksonville
The University of North Florida offers an 8-semester family nurse practitioner program that culminates in a DNP. The university adheres to strict academic standards, and NP students may not earn more than two grades lower than a B throughout the program.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour
- Resident: $493.53
- Nonresident: $1,044.27
- Application Deadline: October 1st
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Email: nursingadmissions@unf.edu
- Phone Number: (904) 620-2810
9. University of Florida, Gainesville
The UF College of Nursing has the most nurse practitioner specialization options of all NP schools in Florida. These options make it easier for students to pursue specialty areas directly.
Students at UF can complete the DNP program in as little as eight semesters full-time. While most classes are online, students must attend in-person intensive courses and clinicals.
- Tuition Per Credit Hour
- Resident: $530.69
- Nonresident: $1,255.41
- Application Deadline: February 1st
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Email: conweb@health.ufl.edu
- Phone Number: (352) 273-6400
10. Florida Southern College, Lakeland
Students in the FSC nurse practitioner program attend in-person didctic classes once per week. Students can select from family, psychiatric mental health, and adult-gerontology nurse practitioner specialties.
The university's Clinical Placement Coordinator assigns each students clinical sites and preceptors, eliminating the stress nursing students face when they must secure a clinical placement independently.
The full-time program is completeable in just six semesters, and culminates in a Master of Science in Nursing degree. Key admissions requirements include a BSN from an accredited university, a 3.0 GPA, and a current active RN license in Florida.
- Application Deadlines: Not Provided
- School Type: Public
- Contact Information
- Email: abonet@flsouthern.edu
- Phone Number: (863) 680-3090
What to Expect in a Florida NP Program
NP programs in Florida deliver didactic classwork online and in person, depending on the school. Keep your preferences for in-person or distance learning in mind when applying to Florida NP schools to ensure your success.
Regardless of didactic class delivery, all NP programs require in-person clinicals; some have labs and intensives. The demands of these programs make full-time work difficult for most students, especially during clinical rotations.
>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Tuition
In general, the tuition for Florida NP programs ranges from $288.16 to $1,020 per credit hour. However, costs vary greatly depending on several factors, such as whether you attend a public or private university or are a resident or out-of-state student.
Admission Requirements
Specific NP program requirements vary depending on the university you attend. However, the most crucial standard is a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from an accredited program.
Other general requirements may include the following:
- Current, unencumbered RN license
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- CV/Resume
- Letter(s) of recommendation
- Undergraduate statistics course
- Minimum one year of bedside, relevant nursing experience
- Personal interview
- GRE scores
- Application fee
- Statement of Intent
>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
How Hard are Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida?
Nurse practitioner programs nationwide are challenging; those in Florida are no different. Surprisingly, online classes can pose unique challenges to students. While you may find this type of education intriguing, it can be more difficult in complex APRN programs. The rigorous coursework may be more difficult to absorb in a nontraditional setting.
Additionally, balancing a job while you work can make balancing your responsibilities more challenging. Many NP students cannot work toward the end of the program because of the clinical commitment.
How Long are Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida?
Most nurse practitioner programs in Florida take two to five years of full-time study. Program lengths vary depending on your degree, whether you attend full or part-time, and how many credits you need.
MSN students can become an NP in one to two years, while DNP students take between three and five years to earn their degrees. All NP programs have a set progression plan, and you can speak to your academic advisor to determine your program length.
What to Expect Working as an NP in Florida
NP Salary in Florida
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), NPs earn an annual average salary of $126,260. Specifically, nurse practitioners in Florida earn $119,710 a year or $57.55 an hour.
Career Outlook
The BLS predicts that the NP career field will grow by 38% from 2022 to 2023, significantly faster than the average for all occupations. In fact, this is the highest amongst all other healthcare occupations.
Additionally, the BLS predicts that each year will bring 123,600 new job openings for NPs. Currently, Florida is home to 22,270 nurse practitioners.
Where Can You Work? NP Jobs in Florida
Nurse practitioners can work in several environments. However, the BLS reports that most NPs work at private physician offices (47%). Other locations include:
- Hospitals
- Acute or urgent care centers
- Academia
- Skilled Nursing and Long-Term Care Facilities
- Outpatient care centers
- Home care
- Hospice centers
- Correctional facilities
- Public health departments
- Nurse-managed clinics
- Homeless clinics
- Emergency rooms
- Government facilities
Practice Authority in Florida
The American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP) categorizes three levels of NP practice authority. Florida is a "restricted practice" state, which the AANP defines as follows:
"State practice and licensure laws restrict the ability of NPs to engage in at least one element of NP practice. State law requires career-long supervision, delegation, or team management by another health provider in order for the NP to provide patient care."
Essentially, NPs in Florida must practice under physician supervision or in collaboration with a physician.
Autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse in Florida
In 2020, Florida established a statute for “autonomous APRNs.” NPs who meet state requirements may apply to become autonomous APRNs and independently practice primary care. According to the statute, primary care includes "family medicine, general pediatrics, and general internal medicine, as defined by board rule."
Remember that autonomous APRNs are not granted unrestricted practice. Learn more about autonomous APRN's scope of practice on the Florida Board of Nursing website.
>> Show Me Online Nurse Practitioner Programs
Next Steps
As one of the most in-demand healthcare careers, nurse practitioners can diagnose, treat, and manage patient’s illnesses. Despite the initial practice restrictions, Florida is an excellent place to start your NP journey. Not only does the Sunshine State offer several top-notch programs at ten reputable schools, but tuition at these schools is relatively affordable, even for out-of-state students.
Popular Online Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs
Chamberlain University is the #1 largest school of nursing with a community of more than 177,000 students, faculty, and alumni. Chamberlain offers BSN, MSN, and DNP programs online and has a long history of successfully delivering top quality education.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Earn your nursing degree from one of the largest nursing education providers in the U.S. Walden University’s BSN, MSN, post-master’s APRN certificate, and DNP programs are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Get enhanced practicum support with our Practicum Pledge.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding CT, ND, NY and RI. Certain programs have additional state restrictions. Check with Walden for details.
GCU's College of Nursing and Health Care Professions has a nearly 35-year tradition of preparing students to fill evolving healthcare roles as highly qualified professionals.
CCNE
Online
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide
Georgetown University is one of the world’s leading academic and research institutions, and the School of Nursing has been delivering graduate nursing programs in a distance-learning environment since 2011. Georgetown's online programs allow students to learn from wherever they are while they pursue an accredited, mission-driven nursing education that will allow them to deliver high-quality care.
CCNE
RN Required
Enrollment: Nationwide, excluding NY and WA.
