10 Accelerated Nursing Programs In Florida

It is very possible for you to transition to nursing from your current career or with your non-nursing bachelor’s degree. This can only be possible by enrolling in accelerated nursing programs. Therefore, learn about the accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

Generally, aspiring nurses begin their education by enrolling for a diploma (LPN) or bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) at any college or university. However, graduates of non-nursing degrees who wish to enter the nursing field can do so by taking accelerated nursing programs.

Upon successful completion of the accelerated program, you earn either a BSN or MSN depending on the program of your choice. The BSN degree qualifies you to take the NCLEX-RN exam and become a licensed nurse.

Accelerated nursing programs also serve as an opportunity for licensed nurses to gain more education and skills which leads to career advancements in a variety of health care settings.

Why is enrollment in accelerated nursing programs growing in popularity in Florida?

According to the Florida Center for Nursing, there is a high demand for nurses in Florida every year and this has led to a shortage of nurses in the state. In addition to this, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks Florida as the 4th highest employer of nurses in the United States.

For these reasons, many students both local and international enroll in accelerated nursing programs in Florida so as to take up nursing jobs in the state.

So, if you hold a bachelor’s degree in another field of study but wish to become a licensed nurse, this article will give you accelerated nursing programs in Florida that can make your wish come true.

Accelerated Nursing Programs In Florida

Graduates that have a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field but wish to become licensed nurses can do so by taking accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

The accelerated nursing programs in Florida will give you credit for the courses you will take and make you acquire a nursing degree within a short time and at a cheaper cost.

You may either enroll in an accelerated BSN program to acquire a bachelor’s degree or enroll in the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program to earn a master’s degree.

The accelerated nursing programs in Florida are as follows:

  • Barry University, Miami Shores
  • ECPI University-Orlando, Lake Mary
  • Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton
  • Florida International University, Miami
  • University of North Florida, Jacksonville
  • Jacksonville University, Jacksonville
  • Keiser University, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Sarasota, West Palm Beach
  • University of Central Florida, Orlando
  • University of South Florida, Tampa
  • University of Miami, Coral Gables

1. Barry University, Miami Shores

The College of Nursing and Health Sciences at Barry University offers an accelerated nursing program. It was founded in 2008 to offer world-class health care education in the Dominican culture.

At Barry University, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Accelerated Option (BSN/AO) offers rigorous training to potential nurses. The program consists of four semesters and takes fifteen (15) months to complete.

During the program, you will take courses including patient-centered care, family-centered care, nursing leadership & management, pathophysiology, community/public health nursing, mother/baby & women’s health nursing, introduction to nursing science, and pharmacology.

The tuition fee for the BSN/AO is $7000 per semester and $50 per credit/per semester nursing program resources fee.

Admission Requirements

The entry requirements into Barry University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing-Accelerated Option (BSN/AO) are as follows:

  • A bachelor’s degree in any field of study with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 and fewer than five withdrawals, Ds, or Fs combined.
    • A grade of C or higher in liberal arts, science, and other courses
    • Letters of recommendation (2).
    • Interview.
    • Evidence of completion of all prerequisites.

Graduates of the BSN/AO at Barry University go on to secure nursing jobs across the health care settings in Florida with higher salaries. Barry University’s BSN/AO is one of the top accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

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2. ECPI University-Orlando, Lake Mary

ECPI University is a private non-profit university in Lake Mary. The nursing school at ECPI offers an engaging learning experience that leads to the award of various nursing degrees including associate, bachelor’s, Practical Nursing, and RN to BSN.

ECPI University Orlando offers an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program to graduates with a bachelor’s degree in other career fields to become licensed nurses. Here, students are offered coursework and clinical training to help them master the practical, decision-making, and problem-solving skills necessary for a nursing career.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for ECPI University Orlando’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing include:

  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
  • A cumulative science GPA of 2.75 or higher (A&P I and II with labs)
  • ATI TEAS exam for candidates who tested after September 2016
  • FDLE Background check

Additionally, applicants must have completed six (6) prerequisite courses including:

  1. Anatomy and Physiology (8 semester credit hours/ 12 quarter credit hours, Parts I and II, with labs)
  2. Statistics (3 semester credit hours/ 4.5 quarter credit hours)
  3. Social Science: Sociology or Psychology (3 semester credit hours/ 4.5 quarter credit hours)
  4. Human Growth and Development or Developmental Psychology (3 semester credit hours/ 4.5 quarter credit hours)
  5. English (3 semester credit hours/ 4.5 quarter credit hours)
  6. Additional General Education Elective (11 semester credit hours / 16.5 quarter credit hours)

The program takes twelve (12) months to complete. After completing the program, you will be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN examination and become a licensed nurse. Then, you may work in primary care clinics, managed care facilities, hospitals, home healthcare, mental health agencies, and the military.

The Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing program at ECPI University Orlando, Florida campus is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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3. Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton

Florida Atlantic University (Florida Atlantic or FAU) is a public research university that was established in 1961. Its main campus is situated in Boca Raton.

The Accelerated BSN program at Florida Atlantic is offered by the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. This program focuses on acute care nursing and nursing situations associated with psychiatric and mental health. The duration of the program is fifteen (15) months and it takes 60 credit hours (40 hours per week)  to complete.

Upon successful completion, graduates go on to take the NCLEX-RN exam to become registered nurses. They can work in nursing homes, military facilities, and hospitals.

Admission Requirements

If you wish to enroll in the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing at Florida Atlantic, you must meet the requirements below:

  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Personal interview

Applicants are also required to complete the following prerequisite courses with a solid C or higher:

  1. Anatomy & Physiology I & II with Lab
  2. Microbiology with Lab
  3. College Algebra or equivalent
  4. Statistics
  5. English Composition I & II
  6. Introduction Sociology
  7. Introduction to Psychology
  8. Human Growth & Development through Lifespan
  9. Chemistry with Lab
  10. Nutrition

The Accelerated BSN program at FAU is one of the top accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

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4. Florida International University, Miami

Florida International University (FIU) is a public research university in Florida that was founded in 1965. Its main campus is in University Park, Florida.

The Accelerated BSN program at Florida International University is offered by the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences. Here, graduates with bachelor’s degrees in other fields of study are offered intensive coursework tailored towards a Bachelor of Science in Nursing. The coursework includes Childbearing Nursing, Psychosocial Nursing, and Evidence-based Nursing and Research in Global Healthcare.

Students are admitted in the fall B session every year. The AO BSN program takes three (3) semesters to complete. Afterward, graduates take the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed nurses. The AO/BSN program at FIU is among the top accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Accelerated BSN program at FUI depend on whether you are applying as a traditional student seeking a second bachelor’s degree or a foreign-educated physician seeking a BSN degree.

If you are applying as a traditional student seeking the BSN/AO, you must:

  • possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • pass the ATI TEAS (Edition VI) exam
  • complete a separate NursingCAS application for the Accelerated Option Track by the deadline date.
  • complete prerequisite courses with a solid C or higher in Intro to Psychology, Intro to Ethics, Statistics, Human Growth & Development, Nutrition, Human Anatomy w/lab, Human Physiology w/lab, Intro to Microbiology w/lab, and Survey of Chemistry w/lab.

If you are applying as a foreign-educated physician seeking the BSN/AO, you must:

  • possess a Doctor of Medicine degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and is awarded outside of the U.S.
  • have a minimum of 550 (Paper-Based) or 80 (Internet-Based Test) TOEFL exam, or a minimum of 6.5 IELTS band score, or completion of ENC 1101 and 1102.
  • not have obtained an RN license from a previous nursing program.
  • complete prerequisite courses including HUN 2201 (Principles of Nutrition), DEP 2000 (Human Growth & Development), and Statistics.

Enroll

5. University of North Florida, Jacksonville

The University of North Florida (UNF) is a public research university in Jacksonville, Florida that was founded in 1965. UNF is part of the State University System of Florida.

The School of Nursing (SON) at UNF offers the Accelerated Pre-licensure BSN program to individuals who possess a degree in another field aside from nursing.

During the program, students take coursework that offers a strong scientific base of study with a variety of clinical experiences and opportunities to work with patients. The curriculum comprises professional courses and clinical/laboratory courses.

It will take you fifteen (15) months of full-time to complete the Accelerated Pre-licensure BSN program at UNF. Upon completion, graduates sit for the NCLEX-RN exam in order to become licensed nurses.

The Accelerated Prelicensure track is concentrated and can be completed in four (4) consecutive semesters of full-time study, or about 15 months. Upon graduation from the program, students will sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam.

Admission Requirements

If you are applying for the Accelerated Pre-licensure BSN program, you will have to meet the following entry requirements:

  • Hold a bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.20.
  • Successfully complete all nursing prerequisite courses with a solid “C” or higher.
  • Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) version V or newer within the last 5 years with a minimum score of 315.00.

UNF’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (C.C.N.E.) and the Florida Board of Nursing.

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6. Jacksonville University, Jacksonville

Jacksonville University (JU) is a private university that offers accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

The institution offers two Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs to students. These two AO/BSN programs equip students with the skills and knowledge required to meet the challenges of patient care.

The Accelerated BSN programs include the JU 16-Month Accelerated BSN and the Jacksonville University and Baptist Health 12-Month Second Degree BSN Program.

Under the JU 16-month AO/BSN program, students are offered coursework in a flexible manner by faculty staff thereby allowing them to combine classes and private affairs. It takes less than two (20 years to complete the program.

For the Jacksonville University and Baptist Health 12-Month Second Degree BSN Program, faculty staff from Baptist Health uses a strategic model to teach students the major skills necessary in the nursing field. The program offers graduates the opportunity to secure a work promise agreement from Baptist Health after acquiring their license.

Jacksonville University (JU) offers two unique Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs that will prepare you to make a career change as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Admission Requirements

The entry requirements for both the 12-month and 16-month Accelerated BSN programs include:

  • A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Completion of prerequisite courses with a solid C or higher. The prerequisite courses include:
    1. Human Anatomy & Physiology I with lab taken within the last 10 years (4 credits)
    2. Human Anatomy & Physiology II with lab taken within the last 10 years (4 credits)
    3. General Chemistry with lab (4 credits)
    4. Microbiology with lab (4 credits)
    5. Nutrition (3 credits)
    6. Human Growth & Development (3 credits)
    7. Statistics (3 credits)

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7. Keiser University, Ft. Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Orlando, Sarasota, West Palm Beach

Founded in 1977, Keiser University is a private university with its main campus in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Keiser University’s Accelerated BSN program is offered at the following Florida campuses including Fort Lauderdale, Fort Myers, Lakeland, Melbourne, Miami, Naples, Orlando, Pembroke Pines, Port St. Lucie, Sarasota, Tallahassee, Tampa, West Palm Beach.

The AO/BSN program teaches aspiring nurses how to use evidence-based collaborative care to administer patient care to diverse patient populations in a variety of health care settings.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the Accelerated BSN program at Keiser University are as follows:

Acceptance is granted into the major courses upon completion of the following:

  • A bachelor’s or graduate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale, or the 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credits of the degree.
  • Completion of prerequisite courses with grade “B” or better in Human Anatomy & Physiology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology II, General Chemistry I, General Chemistry Lab, and Microbiology I.
  • Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) with a score of 67.
  • Acceptable background check and drug screening
  • Required health and immunizations screening
  • Personal interview

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8. University of Central Florida, Orlando

The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a public research university and is one of the schools that offer accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

UCF offers the Second Degree BSN through the university’s College of Nursing. The Second Degree BSN is a four-semester full-time rigorous program whose curriculum involves service-learning courses with clinical rotations in various, medically underserved communities.

Admission Requirements

The entry requirements for the Second Degree BSN program include:

  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50.
  • Complete the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS)
  • A grade “C” or higher in all prerequisite courses including:
  1. CHM 1032 (3) General Chemistry or other approved physical or life science
  2. MCB 2004C (4) Microbiology with lab
  3. ZOO 3733C (4) Human Anatomy
  4. PCB 3703C (4) Human Physiology
  5. PSY 2012 (3) General Psychology or SYG 2000 (3) General Sociology
  6. STA 2014 (3) or STA 2023 (3) Principles of Statistics
  7. DEP 2004 (3) Developmental Psychology
  8. HUN 3011 (3) Human Nutrition

The University of Central Florida’s nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

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9. University of South Florida, Tampa

The University of South Florida (USF) is a public research university that was founded in 1956. Its main campus is located in Tampa, Florida while the other campuses are situated in St. Petersburg and Sarasota.

The Accelerated Second Degree BSN at USF is offered by the College of Nursing. Here, students with a non-degree are offered a curriculum comprising of classroom education and clinical training. The coursework includes health assessment, wellness prevention across the life span, nursing care of women, children, and families, complex health nursing, and psychiatric mental health nursing.

It takes 16 months (four semesters) to complete the program. Afterward, graduates go on to take the NCLEX-RN exam in order to become licensed nurses.

Admission Requirements

The admission requirements for the University of South Florida’s Accelerated Second Degree BSN include:

  • A non-nursing bachelor’s degree with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Complete the Civics Literacy exam before the intended term of entry.
  • Completion of the Bull Nurse Virtual Interview Assessment.
  • A verified NursingCAS application.
  • Completion of the eight prerequisite courses with grade “C” or higher in:
  1. Anatomy & Physiology I with lab
  2. Anatomy & Physiology II with lab
  3. Microbiology with lab
  4. Human Growth and Development
  5. Human Nutrition
  6. Any Statistics course with a prefix of STA
  7. Any Psychology or Sociology course with the prefix of PSY, SOP or SYG
  8. Any Chemistry, Biology, Physics, or Biochemistry with a prefix of CHM, BSC, PHY, PCB or BCH

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10. University of Miami, Coral Gables

The University of Miami (UM, Miami, UMiami, U of M or The U) is a private research university and one of the universities that offer accelerated nursing programs in Florida.

UMiami’s Accelerated BSN program is offered by the School of Nursing and Health Studies (SONHS). The accelerated nursing program’s curriculum is a blend of clinical training and classroom teaching that prepares students to take and pass the NCLEX-RN exam and become licensed nurses.

Additionally, the clinical training requires students to work with a variety of 170 clinical partners such as the University of Miami Hospital where students are offered outstanding clinical training required to meet the demands of patient care.

The Accelerated BSN program is offered twice annually (January and May). It takes only twelve (12) months to complete the program.

Admission Requirements

To enroll in UMiami’s Accelerated BSN program, you must meet the following requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing field with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
  • Have a grade “C” or higher in prerequisite courses including Chemistry with Lab, Human Anatomy with Lab, Human Growth and Development, Human Physiology, Introduction to Psychology, Microbiology, Nutrition, and Statistics.
  • Two letters of recommendation.
  • Statement of Purpose (250-650 words).
  • CV/resume.

The Accelerated BSN program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Enroll

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