Are you looking for the best Nurse Practitioner programs in Florida?
Florida has several schools that offer accredited nurse practitioner programs, known as Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs).NPs in Florida have full practice authority once they’ve graduated from one of these accredited nurse practitioner schools in Florida.
The Certified Nurse Practitioner (CNP) is a registered nurse who has earned an advanced post-graduate degree and further clinical experience or training. There are approximately 18,000 NPs in Florida, according to the Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners(FLANP)
Nurse practitioners in Florida earn an average of $104,830 per year. Following are the 7 best nurse practitioner programs in Florida. Read on!
1. University of Florida – Gainesville
Programs Offered
BSN to DNP and Post-Master's Certificate
Tuition Fees
Instate graduates On campus/ Off campus: $12,744
The University of Florida, located in Gainesville, Florida, is a public research university that offers over 200 undergraduate majors and graduates degrees. The UF College of Nursing offers one accredited online program, the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP).
This post-master degree program prepares nurses to assume leadership roles in clinical practice and education. The DNP program at UF is offered entirely online, which allows students to complete their studies while working full time or with other obligations.
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The DNP program at UF has five specialization options:
- Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP)
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
- Pediatric Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (PACNP),
- Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PC-NPA)
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)
All these programs start twice yearly, once in the fall and once in the spring. Students of this program are not eligible for federal aid, UF-certified loans, or college of nursing scholarships. The coursework requires students to complete 75-78 credits and their core courses from UF’s College of Florida.
2. University of South Florida - Tampa
Programs Offered
MSN, and BS to DNP
Tuition Fees
Telecourse fees for undergraduates: $50.00
The University of South Florida offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice program with several concentrations. To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree in nursing and complete at least one year of clinical experience. If you don’t meet these criteria, you can still apply but will only be eligible for a certificate program.
The curriculum is designed to prepare you for leadership roles as an advanced practice nurse in various fields such as pediatrics, adult primary care, and oncology. Upon completing the DNP program at USF Tampa, students earn their doctorate in nursing. They can choose from four specialties: adult acute care nurse practitioner, adult primary care nurse practitioner, family nurse practitioner, or occupational health/adult primary care nurse practitioner.
The DNP program at USF Tampa is available on campus and online via distance learning. Students who take advantage of this option can complete all core courses online but must attend on-campus training sessions for clinical rotations and other requirements, such as clinical simulation scenarios.
3. University of North Florida – Jacksonville
Programs Offered
BSN-DNP and Post-MSN DNP
Tuition Fees
Florida and Non-Florida Resident: $242.98 / credit hour
The University of North Florida (UNF) offers a unique BSN to DNP program because it offers two separate degrees: a BSN to DNP and a Post-MSN DNP. Both degrees are available in the same format, the difference being that the Post-MSN option requires completing an MSN before enrollment in the program.
The BSN-DNP concentration is designed for currently practicing nurses with an initial Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university. The Post-MSN DNP concentration is designed for nurses with a Master’s degree in nursing from an accredited university.
This program requires the completion of 82 credits and spans eight semesters. You must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the program to earn the degree.
Post-MSN DNP Concentrations mainly include Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.
You will earn the terminal nursing degree of DNP and become certified as a PMHNP upon completing 53 credits and 630 clinical hours.
4. University Of Tampa-Tampa
Programs Offered
MSN, DNP, and Post-Master's Certificate
Tuition Fees
For the DNP program: $33,894
The University of Tampa is a private institution located in Tampa, Florida. It is one of the most highly ranked MSN-nurse practitioner programs in Florida.
The University of Tampa offers two nursing programs: an MSN-Nurse Practitioner program and an Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) or Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) post-master certificate program. The MSN-NP program requires completing 42 credits; with the FNP, you must complete a total of 49 credits courses you take, including health assessment, pharmacology, clinical nutrition, principles of community health, and leadership & management.
The post-master certificate offers specialization options in adult/gerontology and family health. This option allows students to complete their master’s degree within two years by taking only 12 credits each semester instead of 18 hours.
5. University of Central Florida – Orlando
Programs Offered
BSN to DNP and Post-Master's Certificate
Tuition Fees
For Florida residents: $6,368
For Non Florida residents: $22,466
The University of Central Florida provides one of the best nurse practitioner programs in Florida for aspiring nurse practitioners who want to pursue a career in healthcare. The school offers several different concentrations for its BSN to DNP program: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practitioner.
This program starts in fall and takes around 9 semesters on a full-time basis and 12 if you choose to complete it on a part-time schedule.
You will need to earn anywhere between 72 and 76 credits to graduate from this program, which includes clinical hours that are completed at various clinics and hospitals across Orlando.
The University of Central Florida also offers two post-master's certificate programs that focus on adult or family-oriented care: Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (ACNP), Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (PCNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).
These programs are offered only in the part-time format and you can complete anywhere between 18 to 23 credit hours per semester.
6. University of Miami - Coral Gables
Programs Offered
MSN, and Post-Master's Certificate
Tuition Fees
Total program cost: $45,288
The University of Miami - Coral Gables offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP). The program is designed to prepare nurses for leadership roles in the healthcare field.
The school offers an accelerated BSN to DNP program that can be completed in as little as three years. The program starts in fall and takes around 9 semesters on a full-time basis and 12 if you choose to complete it on a part-time schedule. To earn your degree, you will need to earn anywhere between 72 and 76 credits to graduate.
If you are interested in pursuing specialty certification, there are post-master's certificate concentrations available in Adult/Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult/Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, and Family Nurse Practitioner. These post-master's certificates are offered only in the part-time format and require completing anywhere between 18 to 23 credit hours depending on which concentration you choose.
The University of Miami - Coral Gables has been accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1925
7. Florida Atlantic University - Boca Raton
Programs Offered
MSN, and BSN to DNP
Tuition Fees
For Florida residents: $7,594
For Non Florida residents: $20,690
The Florida Atlantic University College of Nursing offers a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program for nurse practitioners. All three concentrations are available in full- and part-time formats, with the option to earn your BSN before entering the program.
The program has two tracks: adult/gerontological NP and family NP. Both tracks require completion of 80-81 credits or 1005 clinical hours. The adult/gerontological track is offered at FAU's Boca Raton campus, while the family NP track is offered at FAU's Jupiter campus.
The curriculum includes advanced nursing practice, nursing research & evidence-based practice, leadership in nursing, advanced pharmacotherapeutics, pathophysiology, and health assessment.
The training for all three specializations is available in full-time and part-time formats.But full-time program requires completion of 80-81 credits or 1005 clinical hours.
Conclusion
The best thing about an NPs degree? The growth potential. With 34 states allowing NPs the ability to prescribe medications and perform minor surgery, the role of nurse practitioners has never been more important. While they can include a variety of different roles depending on their specific practice, generally speaking, nurse practitioners provide primary care and specialize in the treatment of family-centered illnesses. Sounds good right?
Now that you have the finer details of these programs and their differences, it is time to consider your next step. How do you decide between them? Do you need additional details that we didn't include? When visiting these programs, take note of their structure, curriculum, faculty and students. How comfortable do you feel here? Your score on the above assessment will give you a good understanding of where this program may align with your personal career goals.
FAQ's
What is the number 1 nursing school in Florida?
The number 1 nursing school in Florida is the University of Miami, Coral Gables.
The University of Miami has been ranked as one of the top 25 public universities in the United States and is considered one of the best schools in Florida.
Which nurse practitioner specialty is in highest demand?
The demand for PMHNPs and FNPs is in high demand right now. This can be attributed to the fact that these two nurse practitioner specialties are considered to be the most in-demand by employers.
How long is NP school in Florida?
It depends on the program you choose and whether or not you have a bachelor's degree in nursing already.
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 are shorter, but most take at least two years.
What is the most complex nursing school to get into?
Columbia University is an adamanth school to get into, receiving thousands of applicants each year.
The school's application process is competitive and requires students to submit high quality materials. In addition, Columbia University's nursing program receives more than 1,600 applicants per year, which makes it one of the most highly sought-after programs in the country.
