Nursing Programs in Tampa, FL
Along the northern East Coast, many seniors over age 65 settle down in Florida to enjoy their retirement years. The Tampa Bay region has a high demand for registered nurses to care for this large aging population. Despite its sizable number of elderly residents and need for healthcare professionals, nurses in Tampa and its surrounding cities make about $60,000 per year, about 15% less than the national average according to Glassdoor.com. Advanced practice nurses can earn more – and take on additional roles in caring for patients – when they earn higher-level degrees and certifications.
To get started in nursing or to advance your nursing career, check out our accredited program listings sections below:

Entry-Level ADN & BSN Programs in Tampa, FL
The vocation of nursing allows its professionals to enter the field from a number of avenues, depending on their current station in life and where they see themselves five or ten years down the road. Whether you are a current LPN looking to take on greater responsibilities or a non-nursing professional seeking to enter this stable and growing healthcare field, you can become a nurse via a range of LPN to RN, ADN, and BSN education programs in Tampa, Florida.
LPN to RN Programs
Checking patients’ vital signs, gathering information, and putting them at ease are just a few key responsibilities of Licensed Practical Nurses. To command a greater salary and provide a higher level of care for patients, LPNs to can transition to RNs via the bridge program at Jersey College located in Tampa, Florida. With industry-standard labs, clinical and theoretical instruction, the LPN to RN bridge offering can be completed in less than 18 months and grants students their Associate Degree in Nursing. They are also prepared to sit for their NCLEX.
ADN Programs
The healthcare workers who spend the most time with patients are nurses. From gathering information to administering medication and checking vital signs, nurses do so much to assist those under their care. The Associate of Science degree in Nursing at Keiser University in Tampa, FL permits dedicated students to enter the field of healthcare and learn the hands-on skills and theoretical knowledge to become a working nurse. Program graduates are NCLEX-ready; it has a pass rate of approximately 75%.
Direct-Entry BSN Programs
Launch your nursing career with a four-year degree and you can gain more patient responsibility – and command a higher salary – from the start. It’s probable that the BSN degree will soon become the standard for all RNs. By beginning your career with this degree, you can get a head start. Rasmussen College outside of Tampa, Florida, has on-campus and distance education BSN options so you can finish your degree on a timeline that’s suitable for your schedule. The career college is focused on training students to enter the nursing profession as soon as possible upon graduation.
Find out more about Florida Accelerated BSN Programs.
Tampa RN Program NCLEX-RN Pass Rates
Tampa | Florida | |
---|---|---|
NCLEX-RN Students Total | 1,897 | 16,866 |
NCLEX-RN Students Passed | 1,622 | 11,422 |
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate | 85.5% | 67.7% |
Top Ranked Accredited Nursing Programs in Tampa
Listed below are the top nursing schools in Tampa based on our RegisteredNursing.org RN program rankings for Florida out of 141 other accredited programs offered in the state:
- Jersey College - Tampa - #17
- University of South Florida - #12
- University of Tampa - #5
School | Contact Information |
---|---|
Arizona College of Nursing - Tampa
| 1411 N Westshore Blvd, Suite 200 Tampa, FL 33607 (855) 706-8382 |
Galen College of Nursing - Tampa Bay
| 10200 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St N Saint Petersburg, FL 33716 (727) 577-1497 |
Hillsborough Community College
| 1206 N Park Rd Plant City, FL 33563 (813) 253-7000 |
Jersey College - Tampa
| 3625 Queen Palm Dr Tampa, FL 33619 (813) 246-5111 |
Keiser University - Clearwater
| 16120 US Hwy 19 North Clearwater, FL 33764 (866) 288-1781 |
Keiser University - New Port Richey
| 6300 US Highway 19 North New Port Richey, FL 34652 (727) 484-3110 |
Keiser University - Tampa
| 5002 W Waters Ave Tampa, FL 33634 (813) 885-4900 |
Medical Prep Institute of Tampa Bay
| 2304 E Busch Blvd Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 932-1710 |
Rasmussen College - Land O' Lakes
| 18600 Fernview Street Land O' Lakes, FL 34638 (813) 435-3601 |
Rasmussen College - New Port Richey
| 8661 Citizens Dr New Port Richey, FL 34654 (727) 942-0069 |
Rasmussen College - Tampa
| 4042 Park Oaks Blvd #100 Tampa, FL 33610 (813) 246-7600 |
Southern Technical College - Tampa
| 3910 Riga Blvd Tampa, FL 33619 (877) 347-5492 |
St. Petersburg College
| 6605 5th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33733 (727) 341-4772 |
University of South Florida
| 12901 Bruce B Downs Blvd Tampa, FL 33612 (813) 974-2191 |
University of Tampa
| 401 W Kennedy Blvd Tampa, FL 33606 (813) 253-3333 |
Utica College
| 9400 4th St N Suite 100 St. Petersburg, FL 33702 |
RN to BSN Programs in Tampa, FL
In the future, it is likely that Registered Nurses will be required to possess a bachelor’s degree. At the very least, medical centers will have a very strong preference to hire those with BSNs in order to earn the sought-after Magnet status designation. Online or blended bridge programs in Tampa allow working RNs to complete their BSN degrees so that they can bolster their careers within their timeframes.
RN to BSN Programs
Many healthcare experts predict that all Registered Nurses will be required to hold bachelor’s degrees. Top hospitals in Florida already require this as it has proven to reduce error rates and improve the quality of care.
Find out more about Florida RN to BSN Programs.
New Port Richey, FL
Pasco-Hernando State College
- Bachelor's - RN to BSN
Online Learning - Website
- Fully online program design
- CCNE accredited nursing program
- Two immersive practice experiences
- Advanced nursing leadership focus
- Professional nursing skills development
- Flexible course scheduling
- Evidence-based practice emphasis
- Critical thinking skill enhancement
APRN & Nurse Practitioner Programs in Tampa, FL
In the state of Florida, advanced practice nurses can provide primary care to patients, allowing physicians to focus on more specialized areas of medicine. By earning a master’s degree in nursing, you can gain significant independence in treating patients and being responsible for their care. APRNs are compensated at competitive rates and are sought after by most medical centers.
MSN Programs
Nurses who desire to play a more impactful role in the care patients receive can earn their Master of Science in Nursing. The University of Tampa in Florida offers an MSN with concentrations in Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner and Family Nurse Practitioner. Both options are offered at a part-time pace so that nurses can continue to perform their jobs as they obtain their degrees. The University has affiliations with area hospitals so students can gain diverse clinical experiences. Program graduates can enter clinical leadership positions and serve as primary care healthcare providers for patients.
Find out more about Florida Nurse Practitioner Programs.
Post-Master's Certificate Programs
Ready and train the next generation of nurses by earning your post-grad certificate in Nursing Education at the University of South Florida. Designed for veteran nurses wanting to share their expertise with others, the cert is offered primarily online with in-person clinicals. Graduates of the program can teach nursing as a faculty members or as an in-hospital instructor.
Find out more about Florida Post-Master's Certificate Programs.
DNP Programs
Clinical leaders and experts in nursing set the stage for others to follow. Committed advanced practice nurses who are up to the challenge can go after their Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the University of South Florida in Tampa. The rigorous curriculum is focused on using evidence-based care to improve patient healthcare outcomes. The terminal degree represents the culmination of a nurse’s educational pursuits.
Find out more about Florida DNP Programs.
Tampa, FL
The University of Tampa
- Graduate Certificate - Post-Masters Certificate
Concentration: Family Nurse Practitioner - Campus Based - Website
- Two primary care NP concentrations
- Minimum 3.0 GPA required
- 192 practicum hours per course
- Current RN license mandatory
- One year patient care experience
- CCNE accredited program
- Comprehensive clinical training
- Prepares for national certification
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Advanced Practice Nursing - Online Learning - Website
- Online flexible format
- 30 credit hours total
- 1,000 practicum hours
- Two unique tracks available
- CCNE accredited program
- Leadership and clinical focus
- Minimal campus visits required
- Advanced nursing skills development
- Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice
Concentration: Leadership in Population Health - Online Learning - Website
- Online DNP program
- 30 credit hours total
- Two unique tracks available
- 504 practicum hours
- Minimal campus visits
- Designed for working professionals
- CCNE accredited program
- Next cohort begins Spring 2025
University of South Florida
- Master's - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner with Occupational Health Nursing Subspecialty
Concentration: Occupational Health Nursing - Campus Based - Website
- 62 total credit hours
- Part-time and full-time options
- Two degree track options
- Certification exam preparation
- Collaboration with Public Health
- Master's - Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Campus Based - Website
- 45 total credit hours
- Advanced practice nursing preparation
- Certification exam eligibility
- Part-time or full-time enrollment
- Independent clinical decision-making
- Graduate comprehensive exam required
- Health policy development skills
- Master's - Family Nurse Practitioner
Online & Campus Based - Website
- 52 total credit hours
- Part-time and full-time enrollment
- Advanced practice nursing preparation
- Life span patient care focus
- National certification exam preparation
- Comprehensive clinical competency development
- Independent clinical decision-making
- Research and policy integration
- Master's - Nursing Education
Campus Based - Website
- 40 total credit hours
- Program on hold Fall 2021
- Prepare for NLN Certification
- Part-time and full-time options
- Teaching practicum experiences
- Comprehensive examination required
- Teaches classroom and clinical education
- Focuses on teaching/learning theories
- Master's - Pediatric Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Campus Based - Website
- 45 total credit hours
- Part-time or full-time options
- Prepares for PNCB certification
- Graduate comprehensive exam required
- Advanced pediatric nursing focus
- Doctorate - BS-DNP Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Concentration
Campus Based - Website
- Graduate-level nursing degree
- Acute care nurse practitioner focus
- Multiple certification options
- Part-time and full-time enrollment
- Complex patient care preparation
- Versatile healthcare settings
- Advanced clinical skills training
- Doctorate - BS-DNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Concentration
Campus Based - Website
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Focus
- Prepares for ANCC/AANPCB Certification
- Part-time and Full-time Options
- Patient-Centered Care Approach
- Multiple Ambulatory Care Settings
- Comprehensive Adult Health Coverage
- Advanced Nursing Practice Program
- Doctorate - BS-DNP Family Health Concentration
Concentration: Family Health - Online & Campus Based - Website
- Advanced nursing practice degree
- Family health across life span
- Multiple certification options
- Part-time and full-time enrollment
- Ambulatory care settings preparation
- Graduate-level clinical competencies
- Comprehensive patient care focus
- Doctorate - BS-DNP Occupational Health/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Concentration
Concentration: Occupational Health - Campus Based - Website
- Occupational Health Nursing Focus
- Adult-Gerontology Primary Care
- CDC Research Center Support
- Multiple Certification Options
- Flexible Enrollment Paths
- Patient-Centered Care Approach
- Graduate Degree Program