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Online RN to MSN Programs in Florida
A number of Florida universities now offer hybrid and 100% online RN to MSN programs, including UCF! Each College of Nursing has a list of detailed admissions requirements, so we recommend you examine the profiles in our school listings to get a 360º view of the program. Here are a few more points to bear in mind:
- Jacksonville University: Jacksonville’s RN-MSN concentrations are 100% online and open to RNs with an associate degree or diploma in nursing (unlike some other schools which also ask for a non-nursing bachelor’s degree). There are no mandatory log-in times for the 8-week courses and students interact with professors via discussion boards and email. Practice projects are completed locally.
- Nova Southeastern University: NSU’s standard RN to MSN is 100% online. However, any APRN concentration (i.e. NP specialty) is hybrid, with a mix of online and on-campus components. That means NP students must reside within a 150-mile radius of the program campus and have a Florida RN license. The AGACNP concentration is offered on the Palm Beach campus, the FNP is offered on the Palm Beach and Tampa Bay campuses, and the PMHNP concentration is offered on the Miramar and Tampa Bay campuses.
- University of Central Florida: The Nurse Educator and Leadership & Management concentrations are offered online, with practicums or internships taking place in the student’s local community. However, the Nursing and Healthcare Simulation option may include a couple of on-campus components, such as 2 days of work for the capstone project. Visiting the campus will also give you a chance to work in UCF’s high-tech simulation labs.
Cheapest RN to MSN Programs in Florida
To compile this ranking of the most affordable Florida RN to MSN programs, we examined per credit graduate tuition rates. The lower the rate, the higher the ranking. But it’s just an estimate! The final price will depend on the total number of credits, any additional fees, and your place of residence. Remember, too, that you may be able to transfer credits or ask for a portfolio review on certain undergraduate courses.
- University of Central Florida: In-State (Out-of-State is comparable to private universities)—View Tuition Rates
- University of South Florida: In-State (Out-of-State is comparable to private universities)—View Tuition Rates
- Jacksonville University: View Tuition Rates
While you’re comparing schools, it’s useful to know that Jacksonville charges separate tuition rates for undergraduate and graduate nursing coursework. What’s more, Nova Southeastern University has different rates for different concentrations (NP specialties have a higher per credit tuition).
All in all, NSU and UT aren’t that much more expensive than the top 3. Florida is an affordable state!
Florida’s Healthcare Landscape
Future APRNs and nurse leaders in Florida will be expected to address a number of challenges:
- A high percentage of uninsured residents, a climbing obesity rate, more drug overdose deaths, and low birthweights are just some of the issues that trouble data analysts in America’s Health Rankings and the National Center for Health Statistics.
- In the U.S. Rural Health Report Card, Florida is usually close to a failing grade, with a high rural poverty rate, a disturbing lack of primary care access, and an age-adjusted mortality rate than can be 25%+ higher than the rate in urban counties.
- In 2015, the state government rejected a federal offer to expand Medicaid in Florida. This decision has led to concerns in the medical community about the number of Florida residents who are slipping through healthcare cracks, including low-income children, Puerto Rican migrants, and veterans.
Aspiring PMHNPs may also find themselves on the front line. According to Mental Health in America (MHA) data, Florida is grappling with a huge number of issues, including a low rate of mental health providers, repeated failures in access to care, and suicide. In FHA annual reports, one of the top 3 diagnoses for hospital admittance is frequently “psychoses.”
In response to these problems, organizations like the FLANP have been pushing hard for a change to state laws about an NP’s scope of practice. As of 2019, Florida NPs were still required to practice under the supervision of a physician. That means they are limited in how and where they can perform their work. Advocates for a law change argue that independent NPs could help to alleviate current provider shortages, especially in Florida’s rural areas and primary care practices.
Jobs for Florida RN to MSN Graduates
Career Outlook for RN to MSN Graduates
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) keeps a close eye on job & wage data for Nurse Practitioners and Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary, and the maps on these pages will tell you a great deal. For example:
- Florida has some of the highest employment levels of NPs in the country.
- The Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL metropolitan area alone accounts for ~30% of the state’s NP jobs and ~1,000 nursing instructor jobs.
- Other hotspots for NPs include urban areas like Tampa, Orlando, and Jacksonville.
- In fact, Tampa typically employs ~500 nurse instructors.
Despite these promising stats, there’s a fair amount of discussion in nursing message boards about how hard it is to find an advanced nursing job in Florida. New MSN graduates sometimes encounter glutted markets in big cities and—as we’ve mentioned—there aren’t a great deal of healthcare providers in less populated areas.
One way to combat this problem is to be strategic about your clinical practicums and internships. Ask the MSN program coordinator for a list of affiliated institutions and start thinking about how you can connect with future employers. U.S. News & World Report’s rankings of the Best Hospitals in Florida and ANCC’s list of Magnet Facilities in Florida can also help get you started.
Finally, we want to mention that the Florida Legislature has established a Nursing Student Loan Forgiveness Program (NSLFP) that’s designed to address critical nursing shortages. LPNs, RNs, and NPs who agree to work full-time at a designated employment site (rural or urban) can receive funds to assist in the repayment of their nursing education loans.
Career Resources for Future APRNs
Florida Nursing Job Boards
- FNA Career Center: Job listings for Florida nurses, including APRNs, nurse educators, and nurse leaders
- FLANP Career Center: Job listings for Florida NPs
- FNPN Career Center: Job listings for Florida NPs
Florida APRN Salary & Wage Data
- Annual Mean Wages for Florida Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations: Categories can include “Nurse Practitioners,” “Nurse Midwives,” and “Nurse Anesthetists”
- Annual Mean Wages for Florida Nursing Instructors & Teachers, Postsecondary
- AANP National Compensation Survey: Available to AANP members
Florida Nursing Organizations
State Board of Nursing
Florida Nursing Associations & Coalitions
- National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN): Florida Chapters
- National Black Nurses Association (NBNA): Florida Chapters
- Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners (FLANP)
- Florida Hospital Association (FHA)
- Florida Nurses Association (FNA)
- Florida Nurse Practitioner Network (FNPN)
Florida Nursing Specialty Organizations
- American College of Nurse-Midwives – Florida Affiliate (Florida ACNM)
- American Psychiatric Nurses Association – Florida Chapter (APNA Florida)
- Association of Women’s Health, Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses – Florida (AWHONN Florida)
- Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA)
- Florida Association of School Nurses (FASN)
- Florida Emergency Nurses Association (FENA)
- Florida League for Nursing (FLN)
- Florida Nursing Students Association (FNSA)
- Florida Organization of Nurse Executives (FONE)
- Florida Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (FLASPAN)
Florida RN to MSN School Listings
6 Schools FoundHerzing University
School of Nursing
Tampa, Florida | Winter Park, Florida
RN to BSN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN to BSN to MSN - Nursing Education
Offered Online
RN to BSN to MSN - Nursing Leadership and Administration
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nursing Education
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nursing Leadership and Administration
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Although it's based in Minnesota, this private, non-profit university is able to offer CCNE-accredited, online RN to MSN & RN-BSN-MSN programs across multiple campuses, including 2 in Florida that also offer brick & mortar nursing training to undergraduates. If you're thinking about applying, ask the program coordinator about Herzing's relationship with Orlando or Tampa area hospitals. The university may have partnerships in place for MSN practicums and the PMHNP 16-week internship.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Herzing is interested in FL applicants who have an associate degree (ADN/ASN/AASN) or a diploma in nursing from a nationally or regionally accredited institution and a current, active & unencumbered RN license in Florida. There will also be an admissions interview. All RN to MSN pathways contain 100% online coursework, with asynchronous delivery (e.g. no mandatory log-in times) and no mid-terms or finals. On average, RN to MSN tracks might take 20-24 months; RN-BSN-MSN pathways can last 28-32 months. Herzing encourages students to locate their own preceptors & sites for clinicals, but it does have a clinical placement pledge for those who need help.
Jacksonville University
School of Nursing
Jacksonville, Florida
Online RN-MSN - Clinical Nurse Educator
Offered Online
Online RN-MSN - Nurse Informatics Specialist
Offered Online
Online RN-MSN - Nurse Leader
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
Jacksonville is a private university with a Keigwin School of Nursing that's housed in the Brooks Rehabilitation College of Healthcare Sciences. Keigwin faculty hold a number of professional memberships with Florida organizations (think networking opportunities) and a solid portion of them teach in the online MSN classes. According to U.S. News & World Report data, the online graduate nursing programs have a competitive acceptance rate (e.g. 50%) and a strong four-year graduation rate (e.g. 85%+). Jacksonville is also military-friendly - all active-duty service members, reservists, guardsmen, veterans, and spouses and dependents of disabled or deceased veterans receive a 10% discount on tuition rates. Independent reviewers of Keigwin's online nursing programs tend to like the flexibility of the set-up, the supportive & career-focused environment, the fast-paced classes, and the helpfulness & fairness of professors.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
This convenient, 100% online program is aimed at RNs who would like to earn the BSN and the MSN at the same time. Candidates must have an ADN or diploma in nursing from a regionally or nationally accredited program, an overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher, GRE scores of 290 or higher (waived for applicants with a GPA of 3.0 on previous undergraduate nursing coursework), an unencumbered U.S. RN license, and certain undergraduate prerequisites (e.g. statistics). The application will also need to include a resume, a statement of intent, and 3 letters of recommendation. This program has 6 start dates. Once accepted, students can study full-time or part-time in 8-week courses. Check with the program coordinator to see how many of your previous credits can be transferred - Jacksonville accepts 30 credit hours for the RN license, but you may need to complete other core credits. The BSN portion also contains 7 mandatory nursing courses at the 300- and 400-level (22 credits); 9 credits are waived during this time period. The MSN portion will be 30-33 credits, depending on your choice of concentration. Most students finish the MSN portion in 2 years.
Nova Southeastern University
College of Nursing
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
RN to MSN - Executive Nurse Leadership
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Family Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nursing Education
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Nursing Informatics
Offered Online
RN to MSN - Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
NSU is a large private university with a main campus in Davie and satellite campuses in a number of areas (e.g. Palm Beach, Tampa Bay, etc.). The College of Nursing enrolls more than 1,300 students from coast to coast and it promises that APRN students will have access to high-tech simulation labs for clinical work. You can confirm this by taking part in one of the College's Open House campus tours. According to U.S. News & World Report data, the online graduate nursing programs are fairly intimate (e.g. 12 faculty and an average class size of 15), competitive (e.g. average undergraduate GPA of 3.4 for successful applicants), and very welcoming to minority students. The College states that nearly 100% of its online graduates are employed and/or have improved their employment status since obtaining their degrees. If you're considering the DNP at some point, be aware that NSU also offers a discount to alumni. You'll find a number of NSU Nursing reviews on independent websites and message boards. APRN students don't always enjoy the commuting time for hybrid classes, but they appreciate the face-to-face interactions and learning experiences that they receive. Others mention the helpful faculty and caring staff.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
This online program is tailored to RNs who have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. All applicants should have a BA or BS from a regionally accredited college or university, an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a current active U.S. RN license. Candidates for the APRN concentrations (i.e. NP specialties) must have a Florida RN license and live within 150 miles from the program campus. For any APRN application, NSU will also want to see a curriculum vitae and 12 months of active independent clinical practice experience (not including position residencies or facility operations). And AGACNP candidates will need an ACLS certificate. All students entering the program without a BSN take an online, 6-credit bridge course before proceeding to the MSN. Concentrations in ENL, Nursing Education, and Nursing Informatics are 100% online, but they will involve short on-the-ground practicums in your local area. In contrast, APRN concentrations are hybrid - some courses are 100% online and others are a mix of online and on-campus components. Check the program page to see which NSU campus you'll need to visit. The MSN itself takes around 2 years to complete; NP specialties generally take 8 semesters.
The University of Tampa
Department of Nursing
Tampa, Florida
Nursing School Overview
UT is a medium-sized private university in Tampa with a well-known Department of Nursing. NCLEX pass rates are excellent (e.g. 100% on the first try over a number of years) and 100% of UT graduates have achieved employment as nurse practitioners within six months post-graduation. The Department is housed in the Graduate and Health Studies Building, which contains a Skills and Simulation Laboratory, ICU labs, and patient exam rooms. And it maintains formal clinical affiliations with 200+ Tampa Bay area healthcare facilities. In the MSN, students will be in small classes with courses that are taught by experienced faculty - a majority of professors hold national certification as APRNs in a variety of specialties. MSN students will also have the opportunity to travel to places like Ghana, Costa Rica, and the Dominican Republic and apply for departmental nursing scholarships. Reviews on independent websites are uniformly positive. Alumni say the UT graduate program is respected in the Bay area and tuition is fairly reasonable for a private, on-campus option. A couple of reviewers noted that the professors were great.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
This on-campus, part-time program is open to RNs who have a bachelor's degree in a non-nursing field. Candidates must also have a Florida RN license, a minimum 3.0 GPA, and various prerequisites. All applications should include a resume, personal statement, and 2 letters of reference. GRE scores are optional. Once accepted, pre-MSN students must take 5 undergraduate nursing courses prior to starting the graduate-level curriculum. These courses are offered during the fall or spring semesters. Students may complete pre-MSN courses at another university with the program director's permission. The MSN requires a minimum of 42 credits for the AGNP or 49 credits for the FNP, including clinical practicums. NP students are expected to secure appropriate practicum experiences within an 80-mile radius of the university, but nursing advisors and a clinical placement coordinator are available to facilitate the process.
University of Central Florida
College of Nursing
Orlando, Florida
RN with Non-Nursing Bachelor's to MSN - Nurse Educator
Offered Online
Nursing School Overview
UCF is a giant public research university in Orlando with an equally big College of Nursing that's located on a state-of-the-art UCF Health Sciences campus. Nursing faculty are extremely experienced and a number of them are certified advanced healthcare simulation educators. You can see the fruits of their work in the section on faculty research areas. Thanks to a number of factors, UCF often earns a respectable ranking in U.S. News & World Report list of the Best Online Graduate Nursing Programs. Average class sizes are reasonable (e.g. 16 students), students are smart (e.g. average undergraduate GPA of 3.4), and 100% of full-time online professors have a Ph.D. or terminal degree. Successful applicants to the online program receive a waiver for some campus-based fees and nursing scholarships are available. Independent reviewers are often quick to praise the supportiveness and expertise of the professors. One alumna also mentioned that the small classes mean that students receive more individualized attention.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
This streamlined online program is designed for licensed RNs who have an AS or diploma in nursing and a non-nursing bachelor's degree. To apply, candidates must have an RN license in the state or country in which they practice and certain undergraduate prerequisites (e.g. statistics). The application will also need to include a curriculum vitae, a written essay, and 3 letters of recommendation. The GRE is not required. Once accepted, RNs take 3 undergraduate bridge courses in nursing subjects (9 credits). MSN concentrations are 31-36 credit hours and all of them have fall or spring term starts. On an accelerated, full-time schedule, students can finish the Leadership & Management and Nurse Educator concentrations in 5 semesters (7 semesters part-time). The Healthcare Simulation concentration is even shorter - 4 semesters on a full-time schedule and 5 semesters on a part-time schedule. Almost all of the coursework can be completed 100% online, with practicums or internships that take place in your home community or place of employment. However, the Simulation specialty may include short, in-person intensives (e.g. 2 days on-campus for the capstone project) and hands-on simulation time.
University of South Florida-Main Campus
College of Nursing
Tampa, Florida
Nursing School Overview
USF is a massive public research university in Tampa - the USF system enrolls more than 50,000 students. More importantly, its College of Nursing often achieves the highest U.S. News & World Report ranking for Best Nursing Schools among public universities in the state of Florida. The College has excellent NCLEX pass rates, 818 graduate students, 70+ full-time and part-time faculty, and more than 900 clinical partners. MSN students have the opportunity to work in USF's high-tech Simulation Labs, including the George & Marian Miller Center for Virtual Learning and Center for Advanced Clinical Learning, and participate in student and faculty-led research projects. The College even offers Advanced Practice Provider Fellowships to new NPs that would like further training after graduation. You'll find tons of reviews of USF's nursing graduate programs on independent websites and message boards. NP alumni often talk about the challenging coursework, intense workload, diverse classes, supportive faculty, and great access to affiliated healthcare facilities and clinical sites in Tampa (e.g. Florida Hospital, Tampa General Hospital, VA Hospital, etc.). A number of folks noted that research has a sizeable part to play in the coursework.
RN to MSN Admissions & Curriculum
Even though USF doesn't have a dedicated RN to MS program, it will allow RNs with a non-nursing bachelor's degree to apply through a RN to Master's Degree pathway. Applicants should have a minimum 3.0 GPA on any undergraduate work and a current unencumbered U.S. RN license (a current RN license in Florida is required before the first clinical course). Candidates for the AGACNP should also have 1 year of current experience in an aggressive adult ICU critical care unit. Applications must include a current resume and 3 letters of recommendation. Spots for certain concentrations are highly competitive and a personal interview may be required. Once accepted, RN to MS students complete 15-18 credits of undergraduate bridge coursework, with a statistics course if needed. This might take 3 semesters if you take 2 courses per semester. The length of the MS will depend on your choice of concentration. Nursing Education is the shortest option (e.g. 5 semesters on a full-time plan and 6 semesters on a part-time plan). NP specialties often take 7-8 semesters on a part-time schedule. USF's program is hybrid - although some of the core classes may be potentially completed online, students are required to come to campus for all didactics, labs, clinicals, etc. Most students visit the campus about 1-2 times per week when enrolled in a live or blended course.
