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.
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.
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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
1. University of Central Florida
UCF offers a hybrid online nurse practitioner program in Florida. 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.
- Location: Orlando, FL
- Cost Per Credit: $288.16
- Program Length: 9-12 Semesters
- Degree Offered: Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)
- Program(s) Offered:
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
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2. University of Miami
University of Miami NP students may select an MSN or DNP track to become a family nurse practitioner. They'll attend clinical rotations throughout the program at various Miami and Broward Counties clinical sites. Additionally, students must complete an online boot camp at the beginning of each semester.
- Location: Coral Gables, FL
- Program Cost: $45,288
- Program Length: 1 to 2 years
- Degree Offered: MSN or DNP
- Program(s) Offered: FNP
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
3. University of West Florida
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 between 8 and 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.
- Location: Pensacola, FL
- Cost Per Credit: $500
- Program Length: 27 to 30 months
- Degree Offered: MSN
- Program(s) Offered: FNP
- School Type: Private
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
4. Barry University
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.
Students at Barry University may select from a family or adult-gerontology acute care NP track. Both nurse practitioner pathways culminate in an MSN degree.
- Location: Miami Shores, FL
- Cost Per Credit: $1,020
- Program Length: 27 to 30 months
- Degree Offered: MSN
- Program(s) Offered:
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
5. Jacksonville University
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.
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Cost Per Credit: $700
- Program Length: 24 months
- Degree Offered: MSN
- Program(s) Offered:
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? No
6. University of 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.
- Location: St. Augustine, FL
- Program Cost: $48,205.00 to $56,135
- Program Length: 3 to 4 years
- Degree Offered: MSN or DNP
- Program(s) Offered:
- School Type: Private
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
7. Florida Atlantic University
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.
- Location: Boca Raton, FL
- Cost Per Credit: Resident - $371.81 | Nonresident - $1026.81
- Program Length: 8 semesters
- Degree Offered: MSN
- Program(s) Offered:
- School Type: Private
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
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8. University of North Florida
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.
- Location: Jacksonville, FL
- Program Cost: Resident - $493.53 | Nonresident - $1,044.27
- Program Length: 8 semesters
- Degree Offered: DNP
- Program(s) Offered: FNP
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
9. University of Florida
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.
- Location: Gainesville, FL
- Annual Cost: Resident - $35,840 | Nonresident - $53,234
- Program Length: 8 to 11 semesters
- Degree Offered: DNP
- Program(s) Offered:
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? Hybrid
10. Florida Southern College
FSC requires NP students to attend NP classes in person once per week. At a full-time pace, they can complete the entire program in as little as six semesters. However, they may take a slower pace to accommodate a work-school-life balance.
- Location: Lakeland, FL
- Cost Per Credit: $650
- Program Length: 6 semesters
- Degree Offered: MSN
- Program(s) Offered:
- School Type: Public
- Online Options Available? No
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.
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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
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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 $121,610. Specifically, nurse practitioners in Florida earn $110,310 a year or $53.04 an hour.
Career Outlook
The BLS predicts that the NP career field will grow by 45% 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 118,600 new job openings for NPs. Currently, Florida is home to 18,530 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 (45%). 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.
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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.
FAQs
