Best Nursing Schools in Florida

Florida Gulf Coast University's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a CCNE-accredited, full-time program known for outstanding NCLEX-RN outcomes—graduates achieved a perfect 100% pass rate in both 2023 and 2024. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based practice, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary communication, with clinical rotations spanning a five-county region and simulation labs. Applicants must take the TEAS entrance exam and complete prerequisites such as Anatomy & Physiology I and II. The program offers traditional (5–6 semester) and accelerated (4 semester) pathways, the latter for those with a prior bachelor's degree. Students commit approximately 60 hours weekly, culminating in preceptor-led capstones that prepare them for hospital, community, and specialty care nursing roles.

• CCNE accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• Apply by 2026-05-31
• Prerequisite courses required
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Full-time program
• Two pathways: Traditional and Accelerated

Galen Health Institutes-Sarasota’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) is a two-year, full-time on-campus track for aspiring registered nurses. The curriculum includes nursing fundamentals, pharmacology, and medical-surgical nursing, with practical training in clinical learning labs. Students benefit from four annual start dates, a $0 application fee, personalized faculty advising, and on-demand tutoring. Admission requires the TEAS entrance exam. Transfer credit review is available, and financial aid/scholarships help offset costs. In 2024, this Sarasota campus reported a 98.33% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for its 60-student ADN cohort, demonstrating strong preparation for licensure. Graduates are equipped for hospital, clinic, and community healthcare positions, with a solid foundation for career advancement.

• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 2-Year program
• 4 start dates per year
• $0 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX-RN
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• Direct route to becoming an RN
• On-campus classes

Galen Health Institutes-Sarasota (Galen College of Nursing) offers an accelerated, on-campus Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) designed for students new to nursing. The three-year curriculum integrates classroom learning with simulation and clinical labs, covering patient care, critical thinking, and leadership. Four annual start dates, a zero-cost application, and no essay requirement add flexibility. Admission requires the TEAS entrance exam (no ACT/SAT). Students receive personalized academic advising and on-demand tutoring, plus transfer credit options and scholarship/financial aid support. Graduates are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN. While specific BSN pass-rate data isn't posted, Galen's 2024 ADN cohort at Sarasota achieved an exceptional 98.33% first-time pass rate, reflecting the college's commitment to licensure excellence.

• 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
• Free application, no essays
• On-campus learning experience

The four-year BSN at The University of Tampa targets first-time nursing students. The curriculum blends 59 general education and 66 nursing credits (125 total). Clinical rotations and study-abroad trips to Ghana, Costa Rica, or the Dominican Republic enhance skill development. NCLEX pass rates were 100% in 2023 and 97.4% in 2024 among 76 students per cohort. The program incorporates BLS certification, immunizations, and background checks. ACT/SAT scores are not explicitly required, but applicants should confirm with admissions. This military-friendly school readies graduates for hospital and community health careers.

• 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

Seminole State College of Florida offers a 100% online RN-to-BSN Bachelor of Science in Nursing for registered nurses with an ADN or diploma. The asynchronous, flexible program can be completed in as little as 12 months with a total tuition of approximately $5,200. The ACEN-accredited curriculum emphasizes professional role transition, evidence-based practice, community and public health nursing, leadership, and healthcare policy, ending with a capstone that includes virtual simulation. Admission requires a 2.5 GPA and prerequisite courses; no ACT or SAT entrance exam is listed. The school's ADN program posted NCLEX pass rates of 97.98% (2023) and 98.14% (2024), demonstrating strong student outcomes. Graduates gain critical thinking and interprofessional skills for leadership roles and MSN pathways.

• ACEN accredited
• $5,200 total program tuition
• 12-Month program
• 120 total credit hours
• Apply by 2026-03-30
• Rolling admissions
• 3 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring/summer
• Asynchronous online classes
• 2.5 GPA minimum

Pasco-Hernando State College's generic ADN is a limited-access, campus-based program for aspiring RNs. Admission requires the TEAS entrance exam and a minimum 2.0 GPA, with 2.5 required for prerequisites in anatomy, microbiology, algebra, and psychology. Small cohorts of 24–40 students begin each fall and spring, combining clinical experiences with classroom instruction. The curriculum targets NCLEX-RN success, and outcomes are strong: 98.45% of 2023 graduates and 97.27% of 2024 graduates passed the exam. Mandatory background checks and drug screenings are part of clinical placement. Graduates enter a field with starting pay averaging $24 per hour and overall averages near $31, alongside robust demand.

• 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

Licensed practical nurses can elevate their credentials through Pasco-Hernando State College's LPN-to-ADN transition, a campus-based track that awards 17 advanced credit hours and caps cohorts at 36 at the West and North campuses. Starting in the fall, prerequisites span anatomy, microbiology, psychology, and nutrition. Applicants need a cumulative GPA of 2.0, a combined prerequisite GPA of 2.5, a current LPN license, and TEAS scores, plus a $25 application fee. The 2025 cohort accomplished a 95.9% NCLEX-RN pass rate, while the college's broader ADN pass rate was 97.27% in 2024. Background checks and drug screens are required. RN salaries range from $23–$32 per hour, and the profession is expected to grow 26%.

• 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 paramedic-to-ADN transition offers a streamlined route for paramedics to become RNs, granting 11 advanced college credits. Cohorts of just 24 begin each summer and feature close faculty support. Prerequisites include anatomy, microbiology, and psychology; candidates must meet a 2.0 cumulative GPA and 2.5 prerequisite GPA, submit TEAS scores, and go through ranking based on GPA, TEAS, and residency. The program posted a 95.9% NCLEX-RN pass rate and 88% completion rate in 2025. Clinical placements necessitate background checks and drug screening. Salaries start near $23 per hour and typically reach $32 hourly, providing a strong return on this accelerated pathway.

• 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 RN-to-BSN for nurses with an ASN or diploma. This bachelor's completion track requires no entrance exam. Coursework covers leadership, community health, and evidence-based practice, positioning graduates for oncology, ICU, flight nursing, management, or APRN/CRNA pathways. Admission demands a 2.5 minimum GPA, prerequisite courses, and a $25 fee; fall and spring starts provide two annual entry points. The college's ADN program shows notable NCLEX results at 98.45% (2023) and 97.27% (2024). BSN-prepared RNs enjoy a projected 5% job growth through 2034 and median earnings 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

The University of Florida's BSN program, ranked No. 1 in Florida and top 20 nationally by U.S. News, offers three tracks: Traditional BSN, Accelerated BSN for second-degree students, and RN to BSN. The curriculum emphasizes clinical reasoning, leadership, evidence-based care, population health, and health equity. Students learn in UF Health hospitals and a modern simulation lab, with opportunities for research and honors. Accreditation by CCNE ensures quality. UF BSN graduates achieve exceptional NCLEX pass rates: 97.7% in 2023 and 97.5% in 2024 among over 200 test-takers each year. The program prepares nurses for roles in hospitals, clinics, and public health agencies, with strong career outcomes and pathways to graduate study.

• CCNE accredited
• 3 concentration options
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Top 20 nationally by U.S. News
• High NCLEX pass rates
• Modern simulation and skills lab
• Engage in nursing research
• Access to UF Health hospitals
• Student organizations and honors

The online RN-to-BSN at State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota offers registered nurses a flexible path to a bachelor's degree without campus visits. Admission requires an active Florida RN license and SCF degree-seeking status; no ACT or SAT scores are needed. The accelerated 5-week format lets students finish nursing coursework in four semesters, with classes offered fall, spring, and summer. Curricula cover leadership, informatics, and public health, plus a 45-hour community health practicum. Designed for working professionals, the program combines affordable tuition, open enrollment, and regular internet access for non-self-paced study. The college's ADN program posted NCLEX pass rates of 92.57% (2023) and 99.44% (2024), reflecting strong nursing education foundations.

• Flexible online format.
• Affordable tuition rates.
• Open enrollment policy.
• 5-week course sessions.
• Focus on leadership and informatics.
• Community health practicum in FL.
• No face-to-face meetings required.
• Accessible from any computer.
• Prepares for higher nursing roles.
• Requires current RN licensure.

Daytona State College offers a 72-credit Associate in Science in Nursing that prepares students for the NCLEX-RN. The program blends general education with nursing coursework and offers a Traditional ADN track plus a Transition track for LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists. Admission is competitive, using a point system that considers GPA, TEAS scores, science grades, and experience. Accredited by ACEN and SACSCOC, the program accepts applications in May and September. NCLEX first-time pass rates hit 94.5% in 2023 and 98.15% in 2024. With hands-on clinicals and supportive faculty, graduates are ready for hospital and clinic roles. Scholarships and financial aid are available.

• Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accredited
• 2 concentration options
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: TEAS
• 2-Year program
• 72 total credit hours
• 2 start dates per year
• Starts fall/spring
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required

The Associate in Science in Nursing (ASN) at Lake-Sumter State College is a 72-credit, ACEN-accredited program designed to prepare students for the NCLEX-RN and entry-level nursing careers. The curriculum combines essential nursing skills, patient care, and clinical decision-making, with hands-on experience at partner hospitals like AdventHealth and Orlando Health. Admission requires an entrance exam—HESI or TEAS—plus a 2.5 GPA. Full-time daytime classes are offered at the Leesburg and South Lake campuses, with a 30:1 student-to-faculty ratio. As a Hispanic Serving Institution, LSSC fosters an inclusive environment. Graduates enjoy Florida's strong RN job market, and the program posted a 97.37% NCLEX pass rate in 2024 (95.08% in 2023). The ASN also transitions seamlessly to an online RN-to-BSN degree. Total tuition is $15,750.

• ACEN accredited
• 2 concentration options
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: HESI, TEAS
• $15,750 total program tuition
• Complete in 3-4 semesters after beginning the program to completion
• 72 total credit hours
• Starts fall/spring/summer
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• Prerequisite courses required

Lake-Sumter State College's RN to BSN program is an ACEN-accredited, fully online degree completion track for registered nurses seeking to advance their careers. The 30-credit curriculum covers leadership, research, ethics, health policy, and population health, culminating in a Capstone course. With asynchronous, 7-week classes and three flexible plans of study, students can graduate in as few as two semesters while working. Clinical hours are self-scheduled in local communities, and partnerships with AdventHealth and UF Health enhance learning. No ACT/SAT is required for admission; applicants need an active RN license. Recognized as one of Florida's fastest and most affordable online RN-BSN programs, it also offers a low tuition rate and financial aid. The college's ADN graduates achieved a 97.37% NCLEX pass rate in 2024.

• ACEN accredited
• Complete in as little as two semesters
• 30 total credit hours
• Asynchronous online classes
• 2.5 GPA minimum
• Capstone required
• $30 application fee
• Financial aid available
• Scholarships available
• 7-week course format

Florida Southern College's Bachelor of Science in Nursing is a full-time, direct-entry campus program. Students begin nursing courses in the first year and enter clinicals and labs by the second year. The curriculum integrates biological/behavioral sciences, community health, nursing management, and global health. With 500+ clinical hours and high-fidelity simulators, students gain hands-on training. The program is CCNE accredited and reports NCLEX pass rates of 96.23% (2023) and 97.30% (2024). Admission requires SAT or ACT scores (test-optional for the college overall). Small class sizes, a 100% job placement rate, and partnerships with top hospitals like Johns Hopkins enhance career outcomes. Graduates are prepared for practice, research, teaching, or leadership roles.

• CCNE accredited
• Entrance exam required
• Exams: SAT, ACT
• Test optional
• 100% job placement rate
• 3.0 GPA minimum
• 500 clinical hours
• $0 application fee
• Prepares for NCLEX
• Scholarships available