Nursing Programs in Jacksonville, FL

Last Updated On Jul 30, 2026

Expert Verified: Jessica Guzzetti, MBA, BSN, RN, CCHP-RN

3 Min Read

2027 Best Nursing Schools in Jacksonville

Rankings are essential for prospective nursing students, offering clear comparisons to guide program selection. Our rankings of the Best Nursing Schools in Jacksonville use NCLEX pass rates as the sole criteria, ensuring a data-driven approach. Registerednursing.org analyzed recent state data to identify top performers in the region. For more on our methodology, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/rn-ranking-methodology/.

Yearly Pass Rate Trends

Pass rates have remained consistently strong, with only a slight variation between years. The program maintained an average pass rate above 88% in both years.

2024: 88% pass rate (25 students)
2023: 88.89% pass rate (36 students)

Yearly Nursing Graduates

The number of graduates decreased from 2023 to 2024, reflecting a smaller cohort in the most recent year.

2024: 25 graduates
2023: 36 graduates

Top Performing Schools

Fortis College-Orange Park stands out as the only school in this dataset, achieving a strong average pass rate over two years.

Fortis College-Orange Park: 88.53% average pass rate (61 students, 2 years of data)

Pass Rate by Program Size

Small programs, with fewer than 50 students per year, demonstrate solid performance with an average pass rate of 88%.

Small: 88% average pass rate (25 students)

Biggest Improvements

Fortis College-Orange Park showed a slight decline in pass rate from 2023 to 2024, but overall performance remains high.

Fortis College-Orange Park: -0.89% change (from 88.89% in 2023 to 88% in 2024)

University of North Florida

Jacksonville, FL - Public 4-Year - unf.edu

Bachelor's - Nursing, Prelicensure (BSN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

The Prelicensure BSN at University of North Florida is a full-time, campus-based program designed to launch your nursing career. The curriculum blends a strong scientific foundation with diverse clinical experiences, emphasizing community-based care and work with vulnerable populations. Students gain hands-on training in the state-of-the-art MedNexus Simulation Center and build relationships with community agencies throughout the program. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN exam and pursue roles in hospitals, community health, and beyond. The program admits spring, summer, and fall and requires 60 semester hours of prerequisite coursework, making it ideal for both traditional students and second-degree candidates. Accreditation by CCNE ensures educational quality.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
3 start dates per year
Starts spring/summer/fall
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
Scholarships available
NCLEX-RN licensing exam preparation
Community-based clinical experiences
State-of-the-art simulation center

Bachelor's - Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN)

Campus Based - Visit Website

The University of North Florida's Freshman Admit Nursing (FAN) track offers a direct path to a BSN for first-time college students. This cohort-based, full-time program is completed in four years. The curriculum combines a strong scientific base with diverse clinical experiences, focusing on community-based care and underserved populations. Students are home-based in a designated community for the program's duration, fostering deep engagement. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX-RN and careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health. The program also lays a foundation for graduate study. CCNE accreditation ensures quality. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education accredited
4-Year program
1 start dates per year
Starts fall
Cohort-based structure
3.0 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX-RN
Financial aid available
Scholarships available

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Jacksonville University

Jacksonville, FL - Private 4-year - ju.edu

Bachelor's - Traditional BSN Program

Campus Based - Visit Website

Jacksonville University's Traditional BSN program offers a focused 28-month path to becoming a registered nurse. This on-campus, lock-step program combines classroom instruction four days a week with one day of hands-on clinicals at affiliated hospitals. Students benefit from cutting-edge technology including AI, virtual reality labs, and telepresence robots, gaining confidence in realistic simulations before entering the field. The curriculum builds step by step, covering essential nursing skills from patient care to critical thinking. Graduates are prepared for the NCLEX exam and careers in hospitals, clinics, and community health settings. Distinctive features include the opportunity to pursue Departmental Honors, eligibility for the Navy's MECP program, and 1:1 dedicated support from the first semester. With no summer, evening, or online classes, the program offers a structured, immersive learning experience. Located in Jacksonville, Florida, the program emphasizes real-world readiness and strong clinical partnerships.

28-Month program
2 start dates per year
Starts fall/spring
95% licensure pass rate
Cohort-based structure
2.5 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX
Military benefits accepted
Lock-step cohort model

Bachelor's - Accelerated Nursing Program for Second Degree Students

Campus Based - Visit Website

Jacksonville University's 12-Month Second Degree BSN program, offered in partnership with Baptist Health, is an accelerated pathway for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree and seek a career in nursing. This campus-based, lock-step program focuses on Critical Care and provides immersive learning through virtual reality labs, simulation scenarios, and clinical experiences at a Magnet-designated hospital. The curriculum covers essential nursing skills and prepares graduates for the NCLEX exam. With a fall entry term and no evening or online classes, the program emphasizes focused, hands-on training. Graduates are well-prepared to enter the nursing profession as registered nurses, benefiting from a high first-time NCLEX pass rate and a strong partnership with a leading healthcare system. Scholarships are available to admitted students.

12-Month program
1 start dates per year
Starts fall
Cohort-based structure
2.5 GPA minimum
Prerequisite courses required
Prepares for NCLEX
Financial aid available
Scholarships available
Partnership with Baptist Health

Show 1 More Programs ˅

Florida State College at Jacksonville

Jacksonville, FL - Public 4-Year - fscj.edu

Bachelor's - Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Online Learning - Visit Website

Florida State College at Jacksonville's fully online RN-to-BSN program helps practicing nurses advance their careers without putting their jobs on hold. The 120-credit curriculum builds on your nursing foundation, emphasizing evidence-based care, leadership, critical thinking, and cultural sensitivity. You'll learn to manage care for individuals, families, and communities while preparing for roles in nursing leadership, management, and specialized clinical settings. A standout feature is the Global Scholars Distinction program, automatically included in the BSN, which adds international coursework and a capstone project to your degree. Study abroad opportunities through an IDEAS grant further set this program apart. Accredited by ACEN, the program boasts a 100% employment rate and graduate satisfaction. With three start terms per year and priority financial aid deadlines, it's designed for flexibility. Faculty are doctorally prepared and actively practicing, ensuring real-world relevance.

ACEN accredited
3-Semester program
120 total credit hours
3 start dates per year
Starts fall/spring/summer
100% job placement rate
Capstone required
Financial aid available
Global Scholars Distinction program
Fully online for working nurses

*Source: NCES, IPEDS 2025. https://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Jacksonville, FL

If you are interested in beginning a career in nursing, an entry-level program is the place to start. One option for entry-level programs includes the Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) program, which provides students with a base level introduction to nursing that can be completed in a relatively short time. Another option for entering the nursing field is the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, which prepares students for their first jobs with additional coursework in research, public health, leadership and other topics.

ADN Programs

An ADN program might be a good fit if you are interested in entering the workforce as quickly as possible, as these programs are generally faster to complete than a BSN.

Direct-Entry Accelerated BSN (ABSN) Programs

A traditional BSN program is designed for students without any previous nursing education, and provides graduates with a bachelor’s degree. Like ADN programs, BSN programs prepare students to take the NCLEX exam, but generally take longer to complete and provide additional in-depth coursework. One example of BSN programs is the program found at the University of North Florida, which includes professional courses as well as clinical/laboratory courses that focus on community-based nursing experience.

Learn more about Florida Accelerated BSN Programs.

RN to BSN/MSN Programs in Jacksonville, FL

In an effort to secure higher-paying nursing positions, many ADN-educated nurses are exploring going back to school to earn a higher degree. Some schools offer specialized “bridge” programs that provide a pathway for these nurses to earn a higher degree at a faster pace than traditional entry-level nursing programs.

RN to BSN Programs

RN to BSN programs are designed for experienced RNs who would like to earn their bachelor’s degree in nursing. Taking into account prior diploma coursework and clinical experience, these programs are generally fast to complete when compared with traditional BSN programs. The RN to BSN program at Florida State College at Jacksonville is offered on a part-time basis in three to six semesters of study to allow students to continue working while they earn their degree.

Learn more about Florida RN to BSN Programs.

RN to MSN Programs

Slightly less common than RN to BSN programs, some schools offer RN to MSN bridge programs, in which experienced RNs can earn their Master of Science in Nursing degree in an accelerated timeframe. The RN to MSN program at Jacksonville University allows RNs to earn their BSN and MSN degrees concurrently, with online courses that can be taken on a full- or part-time basis for maximum flexibility and convenience.

Learn more about Florida RN to MSN Programs.

List of RN to BSN/MSN Programs

We've put together a list of RN to BSN and RN to MSN programs to help working nurses advance their careers. The table below shows each school's location, program highlights, and a link to get more details. Whether aiming for a bachelor's or master's, these options offer flexible paths to grow in nursing.