Nursing Programs in Tampa, FL

The University of Tampa's Four-Year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) is a campus-based track for first-time nursing students. The curriculum combines 59 general education credits with 66 nursing credits, emphasizing critical thinking, communication, and clinical judgment. Students gain hands-on experience through clinical rotations in diverse healthcare settings and may participate in annual travel courses to Ghana, Costa Rica, or the Dominican Republic. The program has an impressive licensure record, achieving a 100% NCLEX pass rate in 2023 and a 97.37% pass rate in 2024—well above state and national averages. This military-friendly, 125-credit-hour degree does not specify an ACT or SAT requirement in its program profile, and it prepares graduates for roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health. The application priority deadline is October 15, 2026.

• 4-Year program
• 125 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-10-15
• 95% licensure pass rate
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Annual travel courses abroad
• Outpaces national NCLEX pass rates
• Clinical opportunities in diverse settings
• Designed for students without prior nursing credit

Pasco-Hernando State College's campus-based Associate in Science in Nursing (Generic RN) program is a limited-access pathway to NCLEX-RN licensure. Applicants must pass the TEAS exam, maintain a 2.0 cumulative GPA (2.5 in prerequisites), and complete courses in anatomy, microbiology, algebra, and psychology. Small cohorts of 24–40 students start each fall and spring. The program's exceptional outcomes are reflected in NCLEX first-time pass rates of 98.45% (2023) and 97.27% (2024), far exceeding national averages. Graduates enter nursing with a projected 12.8% job growth by 2026 and hourly earnings of $24–$31. Background checks and drug screenings are required for clinical rotations.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Apply by 2026-09-15
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• $25 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Limited access program with 24-40 students per term

LPNs can earn an Associate in Science in Nursing through Pasco-Hernando State College's ADN Transition Program, which grants 17 advanced credit hours for prior LPN education. Offered at West and North campuses, the limited-access program enrolls up to 36 students each fall. Admission requires an active LPN license, cumulative GPA of 2.0, combined prerequisite GPA of 2.5, and TEAS scores. Coursework includes nursing theory and clinical rotations, leading to NCLEX-RN eligibility. The program achieved a 95.9% NCLEX pass rate in 2025, while the college's overall ADN pass rates consistently exceed 97%. RN careers offer 26% projected job growth and hourly wages from $23 to $32.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Apply by 2026-03-30
• Starts fall
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required
• $25 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• LPN to RN transition pathway
• Receive 17 advanced credit hours for LPN education

Pasco-Hernando State College's ADN Transition for Paramedics provides a streamlined pathway to an Associate in Science in Nursing degree. Paramedics receive 11 advanced credit hours for their previous training, then complete nursing prerequisites in anatomy, microbiology, and psychology before entering the major. This competitive program admits only 24 students per summer cohort, ranking applicants by GPA, TEAS performance, and residency. Requirements include a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.5 prerequisite GPA. Graduates boast a 96% licensure pass rate and 88% completion rate, qualifying them for the NCLEX-RN. RNs earn an average of $32 hourly, with entry wages around $23, and benefit from strong job growth.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Apply by 2026-03-16
• Starts summer
• 96% licensure pass rate
• 2.0 GPA minimum
• salaries for registered nurses start at approximately $23 per hour. Typical salaries for RNs are about $32 hourly
• Prerequisite courses required
• $25 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN

Pasco-Hernando State College offers an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) for registered nurses with an ASN or nursing diploma. The curriculum covers leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice, preparing graduates for advanced roles in oncology, intensive care, or flight nursing, as well as graduate study. This flexible program requires no ACT or SAT scores; admission relies on RN licensure, prerequisite coursework, and a minimum GPA of 2.5. Two intake cycles (fall and spring) and a $25 application fee make it accessible for working nurses. The field projects 5% job growth through 2034, with a median RN salary of $93,600.

• 2.5 GPA minimum
• The median annual wage for registered nurses was $93,600 in May 2024
• Prerequisite courses required
• $25 application fee
• Online BSN program
• Requires ASN or nursing diploma
• Prepares for specialty nursing roles
• 5% national job growth (2024-2034)
• Mandatory immunizations required
• Background check and drug screening

USF's Upper Division BSN pathway is a traditional five-semester, campus-based program for students without a prior bachelor's degree. The curriculum immerses students in nursing theory and hands-on clinical practice across Tampa Bay healthcare facilities. Admission is highly competitive, and applicants must complete prerequisite courses with a strong GPA; the nursing program itself does not require ACT/SAT scores, though university admission standards apply. Students benefit from experienced faculty and a cohort model that fosters collaboration. The program consistently produces strong NCLEX-RN outcomes, with a 96.55% first-time pass rate in 2024 (n=348). Graduates launch careers in hospitals, community health, and other clinical roles, and may pursue advanced degrees in nursing. Financial aid and scholarships are available.

• 5-Semester program
• Complete in five consecutive semesters (including summers)
• Highly competitive admissions

This 16-month accelerated BSN pathway at USF is tailored for individuals with a non-nursing bachelor's degree seeking a fast-track nursing career. Delivered in person across Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Sarasota-Manatee campuses, the program moves sequentially through nursing fundamentals, clinical skills, and specialty rotations. Because applicants already hold a bachelor's degree, standardized exams like the ACT or SAT are not required; instead, prerequisites and prior GPA determine admission. Students receive dedicated advising and personalized support from application through graduation. The program prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN, and USF's BSN graduates achieved a 96.55% pass rate in 2024. This pathway also serves as a launchpad for MSN, DNP, or PhD study, and offers financial aid and scholarships. NursingCAS application is required.

• 16-Month program
• Starts summer/fall
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Change careers into nursing
• Hosted on all three campuses
• NursingCAS application required
• Dedicated admissions advisor

USF's traditional BSN program, offered via the Upper Division Pathway, is a two-year, full-time course of study for first-time and transfer students. The program stands out as a Global Pathway certified curriculum integrating international health perspectives and offering study-abroad scholarships. Students complete five consecutive semesters of blended classroom and clinical instruction, preparing for diverse careers including hospital nursing, research, public health, education, and government. NCLEX pass rates far exceed state and national averages, with USF reporting 96.55% in 2024. The program's competitive admission relies on prerequisite coursework and GPA rather than ACT/SAT exam scores, although university enrollment requirements still apply. Expert faculty and dedicated advisors guide students toward licensure and future graduate education (MSN, DNP, PhD). Scholarships and financial aid are available.

• 2-Year program
• Starts fall
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Global Pathway certified program
• Exceeds state/national NCLEX pass rates
• Prepares for graduate nursing studies
• Career opportunities in diverse settings

Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa offers a CCNE-accredited 3-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program that blends foundational sciences, nursing theory, and immersive clinical practice. Coursework covers mental health, maternal health, pediatrics, and community health, with hands-on training in simulation labs and real-world clinical rotations across healthcare settings. The program supports working students with night classes for general education and new enrollment sessions every eight weeks. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN and pursue roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health. Strong NCLEX performance reflects student success: pass rates reached 92.31% in 2023 and 93.65% in 2024. Critical thinking, leadership, and professionalism are emphasized throughout the curriculum.

• CCNE accredited
• 3-Year program
• Complete in in as little as three years
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Night classes for general education
• State-of-the-art simulation labs
• New sessions every 8 weeks
• Clinical experiences across healthcare settings
• Field trips and guest speakers

Galen College of Nursing-Tampa Bay's 3-Year BSN is an accelerated, campus-based program for new nursing students. The curriculum blends nursing theory with practical clinical learning labs, preparing graduates for the NCLEX-RN. Admission requires the TEAS entrance exam; no ACT/SAT is required. The program reports strong BSN NCLEX pass rates: 97.35% in 2023 and 94.44% in 2024. Students benefit from four start dates per year, personalized academic advising, on-demand tutoring, live chat support, and a $0 application fee. No essays are required, and transfer credits are accepted. This accelerated pathway develops critical thinking and leadership skills, enabling graduates to work across hospitals, clinics, and community settings or pursue advanced nursing degrees.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 3-Year program
• 4 start dates per year
• $0 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• No essays required
• Free application