The Best Florida Nurse Practitioner (NP) Programs in 2024
Florida is fast becoming one of the most attractive states for nurse practitioners (NP). More than 9,500 NP job openings are projected in the state between 2020 and 2030, according to Projections Central.
Nurse practitioner programs are your pathway to a potentially satisfying career as a highly skilled and sought-after healthcare professional. However, knowing how to choose from the variety of available programs can be confusing, especially since their successful completion requires a significant investment of time, money, and personal resources.
This ranking guide can help you make an informed choice by reviewing the top 10 Florida nurse practitioner programs, admission requirements, the importance of program accreditation, and what you can do in your career once you have earned a graduate nurse practitioner degree.
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The Best Florida Nurse Practitioner Programs and Schools in 2024
How We Rank Schools
We use a data-driven methodology to rank the nurse practitioner programs and schools in Florida, making it easier for you to find a program that works for you. Our methodology is based on metrics that we believe matter most to students, including academic quality, affordability, reputation, and program offerings.
Why Is Florida Nurse Practitioner Program Accreditation Important?
Accreditation of Florida nurse practitioner programs is central to the potential success of your education and career. Note that every program included in our ranking is accredited.
Both the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) are the certifying bodies.
Attending an NP program that lacks accreditation can have serious consequences, including:
- Ineligibility for certification exams
- Credits not transferring when applying for further education (e.g.: Ph.D. or DNP)
- Being passed over by certain employers
- Lack of access to financial aid
- Difficulty transferring your nursing license to another state
Applying to a Nurse Practitioner Program in Florida
Every Florida nurse practitioner program may be different in terms of its admissions process. In general, most programs require the following:
- A bachelor of science in nursing from an institution accredited by either the CCNE or ACEN
- Successfully passing an undergraduate statistics course
- Holding a valid registered nurse (RN) license in the state or county where you practice
- Submitting an application form, residency form, recommendations, essay/personal statement, and resume
- 1-2 years of clinical nursing experience
- Application fee
Applicants may need to submit a resume; personal essay or statement of intent; letters of reference from academic, professional, or clinical supervisors; and proof of RN licensure.
What Can You Do with a Degree from a Florida Nurse Practitioner Program?
Florida nurse practitioner programs prepare graduates for careers as highly valued advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). These programs may provide education for any or all of the current nationally approved nurse practitioner specialization areas.
The degree offered by NP programs is a master of science in nursing (MSN) with a specific clinical specialization. These programs can take anywhere from 30-40 months to complete, depending on whether you are enrolled part- or full-time.
There are multiple areas of clinical specialization for students earning a nurse practitioner degree, including:
- Family nurse practitioner (FNP)
- Adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner (AGPCNP-BC)
- Adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner certification (AGACNP-BC)
- Emergency nurse practitioner (ENP)
- Neonatal nurse practitioner (NNP-BC)
- Women’s health nurse practitioner (WHNP-BC)
- Primary care certified pediatric nurse practitioner (CPNP-PC)
- Acute care certified pediatric nurse practitioner (CPNP-AC)
- Psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP-BC)
Explore types of specialty practice areas in our nurse practitioner specialties guide.
Florida Nurse Practitioner Occupational and Salary Data
Total NP Employment
18,530
Median Hourly Wage
$51.73
Annual Mean Wage
$110,310
Source: BLS, 2023
| Metro Area | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Tallahassee | $137,960 |
| Cape Coral—Fort Myers | $128,000 |
| Port St. Lucie | $123,670 |
| Naples—Immokalee—Marco Island | $120,220 |
| Palm Bay—Melbourne—Titusville | $119,820 |
Using Our Rankings: What to Look for in a Florida Nurse Practitioner Program
The following key metrics contribute to our overall ranking of the best Florida NP programs. By using these measures to evaluate programs of interest to you, you can feel more confident in making the best choice.
Admission Requirements
Different admission requirements — such as overall GPA and requirements for previous clinical experience — may influence which programs you find attractive. Admission requirements ensure that you have the necessary academic background to succeed in a fast-paced and rigorous program.
Specializations
When choosing between NP programs, focus on the specializations. For example, if you are interested in either adult-gerontology or pediatrics, you can immediately rule out Florida nurse practitioner programs that do not offer these focuses.
Clinical Experience
All NP programs require clinical hours, yet each school’s approach may be different. Some programs offer robust assistance with finding appropriate clinical placements, and others may leave the arrangement of clinical placements completely up to the student.
Another factor that could influence your choice of programs is the number of required clinical hours, which may vary from 500 to 1,000 hours.
Accreditation
Nurse practitioner program accreditation is a crucial factor to consider. The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) and the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) are the two most widely accepted accrediting bodies for nursing programs. All nurse practitioner board certifications require that you attend an accredited program to be eligible for examination.
Program Length
Program length may vary. Full-time programs lasting 24-30 months are not uncommon, and some part-time Florida nurse practitioner programs may take as long as 36 months to complete.
Board Certification Pass Rate
The student pass rate of various nurse practitioner board certification exams is a direct reflection of the quality of education at a particular school. A consistently low annual pass rate may signal that the program is not properly preparing students for successful board exams and subsequent clinical practice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Nurse Practitioner Programs in Florida
How long is NP school in Florida?
Most NP programs in Florida take 2-3 years for a full-time student with a bachelor’s degree in nursing to complete. Some programs offer an accelerated online option that allows nurses to earn their MSN in about 18 months. There are also accelerated nursing options for individuals who do not have an undergraduate degree in nursing.
How long does it take to get an NP license in Florida?
To become an NP in Florida, you need to hold a valid nursing license and a master’s degree. It often takes about six years to qualify for the license, which includes 3-4 years to earn a bachelor’s degree and 2-3 years for the master’s program.
What skills do you learn in NP school in Florida?
Common skills that are likely to be learned during your education within any Florida nurse practitioner program include:
- Advanced physical assessment
- Taking a comprehensive patient history
- Accurately entering patient data and clinical documentation into an electronic medical record (EMR)
- Conflict resolution
- Motivational interviewing
- Therapeutic communication
- Mental health evaluation
- Advanced understanding of pharmacology
- Advanced understanding of pathophysiology and the diagnostic process
- Procedural skills (e.g.: joint injections, pelvic exams, skin biopsies, suturing)
What financial aid options are available for NP schools in Florida?
Financial aid and scholarships for nurse practitioner students can include a variety of sources, including:
- Scholarships from private and civic organizations (e.g.: Rotary Club)
- Scholarships from nursing associations (e.g.: National Association of Hispanic Nurses, Indian Health Service)
- Federally funded student loan programs
- Federally funded grant programs
- Alumni-funded scholarships
Related Resources
Note: The insights on this page — excluding school descriptions — were reviewed by an independent third party compensated for their time by NurseJournal. Page last reviewed on October 24, 2022.