Nursing School Requirements in Florida (2026)

A complete guide to nursing school admission requirements in Florida: GPA, prerequisite courses, application steps, and what to expect after graduation — including NCLEX and RN licensure.

Florida: admissions context

The Florida Center for Nursing (FCN), hosted at the University of South Florida, publishes statewide nursing workforce reports, education trend summaries, and long-range projections alongside community-engagement findings. Florida also operates large legislative programs (such as LINE and PIPELINE) that steer industry matching funds into nursing education capacity — read the statutory fine print before assuming a school participates.

We currently list 186 programs for Florida (showing up to 50 on this page). Florida mixes large public university systems, independent colleges, and community-college ADN ladders — ask how each program handles hurricane-season clinical disruptions and cohort make-up days.

What our Florida program sample looks like

By degree type in the first 50 programs we show: DNP 48%; BSN 42%; ADN 10%.

By delivery in that same sample: 52% online, 16% hybrid, 32% on-campus.

0

LPN Programs

5

ADN Programs

21

BSN Programs

0

RN-to-BSN

24

MSN / DNP

RNs in Florida earn $73,210/year on average with 10.4% projected job growth through 2032 (BLS).

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Compare Accredited Programs in Florida

We list 186 accredited programs in Florida. Enter your zip code to see options that match your schedule, budget, and target degree.

Nursing School Requirements in Florida: The Basics

Nursing school admission requirements in Florida vary by degree level, but all accredited programs share a common foundation: prerequisite science courses, a competitive GPA, and a clean background check. After graduation from any pre-licensure program, you must pass the NCLEX-RN exam and obtain a license from the Florida Board of Nursing before practicing.

The most important lever applicants control is their prerequisite GPA. Science courses — particularly Anatomy & Physiology and Microbiology — are heavily weighted by admissions committees. Retaking a course to improve a C to a B or higher can make the difference in competitive programs.

Admission Requirements by Degree Level

LPN

Typical GPA

2.5–3.0

Program Length

9–18 months

Key Prerequisites

High school diploma or GED
English
Basic math
Biology (some programs)

The fastest entry point into nursing. Many programs accept students directly from high school.

ADN

Typical GPA

2.7–3.2

Program Length

18–24 months

Key Prerequisites

Anatomy & Physiology I & II
Microbiology
English Composition
Psychology
Statistics or Math

Community college programs. Many have waitlists — applying early and maintaining a high GPA is critical.

BSN

Typical GPA

3.0–3.5

Program Length

3–4 years (direct-entry) or 2 years (RN-to-BSN)

Key Prerequisites

Anatomy & Physiology I & II
Microbiology
Chemistry
Statistics
Psychology
Sociology
English Composition

University programs. Highly competitive — top programs often require 3.5+ GPA and healthcare experience.

RN-BSN

Typical GPA

2.5–3.0

Program Length

12–18 months (online)

Key Prerequisites

Active, unencumbered RN license
ADN or diploma in nursing

Designed for working RNs. No additional clinical hours required. Most programs are fully online.

MSN

Typical GPA

3.0–3.5

Program Length

2–3 years

Key Prerequisites

BSN from an accredited program
Active RN license
Statistics course
Professional letters of recommendation

Graduate-level admission. Many programs require 1–2 years of clinical RN experience.

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How to Get Into Nursing School in Florida: Step by Step

1
Research program types and choose a degree level
Decide whether you are pursuing an LPN certificate, ADN, BSN, or RN-to-BSN. Each has different admission requirements, costs, and career outcomes. Florida has 50 accredited programs across all degree levels.
2
Complete prerequisite courses
Most nursing programs require Anatomy & Physiology, Microbiology, and English Composition at a minimum. Complete these at a community college if needed before applying.
3
Maintain a competitive GPA
ADN programs typically require a 2.7+ GPA; BSN programs require 3.0–3.5. Retaking a science prerequisite to improve your grade can significantly strengthen your application.
4
Prepare application materials
Gather transcripts, letters of recommendation, a personal statement, and proof of healthcare experience (CNA, medical scribe, EMT, etc.). Many programs weigh clinical experience heavily.
5
Submit your application
Apply to 3–5 programs. ADN programs at community colleges often use a points-based ranking system. BSN programs use holistic review. Apply as early as possible — many programs have rolling admissions.
6
Complete the program and pass the NCLEX
After graduation, apply for RN licensure through the Florida Board of Nursing (https://floridasnursing.gov). Pass the NCLEX-RN to receive your license and begin practicing.

After Graduation: NCLEX and Florida RN Licensing

Completing an accredited nursing program is only the first step. To practice as an RN in Florida, you must:

Apply for licensure with the Florida Board of Nursing
Register for the NCLEX-RN through Pearson VUE
Pass the NCLEX-RN (national first-time pass rate ≈ 87%)
Receive your Florida RN license and begin practicing

Florida License Details

License Renewal

2 years

CE Hours

24 hours per renewal

NLC Compact

Yes — practice in 40+ compact states

Accredited Programs in Florida

Programs in Florida start as low as $14,560 in total tuition (ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)).

Sort by

Showing 15 of 15 programs

1

BSNOn Campus

West Coast University

Accelerated BSN

$72,000 total18 mo program83% NCLEX pass rate73% grad rate

2

BSNOn Campus

Galen College of Nursing

Accelerated BSN

$46,860 total15 mo program85% NCLEX pass rate71% grad rate

3

BSNOn Campus

Arizona College of Nursing

Accelerated BSN

$56,000 total28 mo program88% NCLEX pass rate78% grad rate

4

BSNOn Campus

ECPI University

Accelerated BSN

$52,000 total15 mo program67% grad rate

Sponsored · Disclosure

5

BSNOn Campus

Keiser University

Accelerated BSN

$55,000 total16 mo program82% NCLEX pass rate67% grad rate

6

ADNOn Campus

ECPI University

$38,000 total20 mo program79% NCLEX pass rate67% grad rate

7

ADNOn Campus

Keiser University

$32,000 total22 mo program79% NCLEX pass rate67% grad rate

8

ADNOn Campus

Rasmussen University

$36,000 total24 mo program79% NCLEX pass rate63% grad rate

9

ADNOn Campus

Concorde Career College

$35,000 total22 mo program76% NCLEX pass rate64% grad rate

10

ADNOnline

Excelsior University

ADN (Associate Degree in Nursing)

$14,560 total24 mo program58% grad rate

11

BSNOnline

Western Governors University

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (Pre-Licensure)

$35,700 total36 mo program92% NCLEX pass rate55% grad rate

12

BSNOnline + Campus

Rasmussen University

$58,000 total36 mo program82% NCLEX pass rate63% grad rate

13

BSNOnline

National University

BSN — Pre-Licensure

$45,000 total36 mo program62% grad rate

14

BSNOnline

Aspen University

BSN — Pre-Licensure

$28,800 total36 mo program60% grad rate

15

BSNOnline + Campus

Chamberlain University

BSN (Pre-Licensure Hybrid)

$69,000 total36 mo program80% NCLEX pass rate62% grad rate

See all 186 nursing programs in Florida →

Get Matched with Florida Programs You Qualify For

You now know what Florida programs require. Enter your zip code and we'll match you with accredited options that fit your GPA, schedule, and budget — free, takes 30 seconds.

What GPA do you need for nursing school in Florida?

GPA requirements vary by degree level. LPN programs typically require a 2.5 minimum; ADN programs at community colleges require 2.7–3.2; BSN programs at universities usually require 3.0–3.5, with competitive programs often accepting students with 3.5+. Florida has programs across all levels — higher-demand programs tend to have higher effective GPAs due to waitlists and competitive applicant pools.

What prerequisites do you need for nursing school in Florida?

For most ADN and BSN programs in Florida, you will need Anatomy & Physiology I and II, Microbiology, English Composition, and introductory Psychology or Sociology. Many BSN programs also require Chemistry and Statistics. Complete these at an accredited community college if you haven't already — grades matter, so retake a course if you scored below a B.

How long does it take to become a nurse in Florida?

The fastest path is an LPN certificate (9–18 months). An Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) takes 18–24 months. A Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) takes 3–4 years (or 12–18 months if you're already an RN pursuing the RN-to-BSN). Time-to-degree depends on prerequisite completion, part-time vs. full-time enrollment, and whether the program has a waitlist.

Do you need healthcare experience to get into nursing school in Florida?

Most nursing programs prefer but don't require prior healthcare experience for ADN admission. BSN programs at competitive universities often weigh healthcare experience (CNA, medical scribe, EMT, hospital volunteering) heavily in holistic review. LPN programs typically accept applicants directly from high school. Graduate programs (MSN, DNP) usually require 1–2 years of clinical RN experience.

How do you apply to nursing school in Florida?

For community college ADN programs: submit a general college application, complete required prerequisites, and submit the nursing program-specific application (usually a separate form with GPA ranking or points system). For university BSN programs: apply through the university admissions process, then apply separately to the College of Nursing. Apply early — many Florida programs have rolling admissions and fill quickly.

What is the NCLEX exam for nursing in Florida?

The NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses) is the standardized exam all RN graduates must pass to receive a license in Florida. After graduating from an accredited nursing program, you apply to the Florida Board of Nursing (https://floridasnursing.gov) for licensure, register for the NCLEX through Pearson VUE, and pass the exam. The national first-time pass rate is approximately 87%.

Is nursing school hard to get into in Florida?

Competitiveness varies significantly by program type. LPN programs are generally accessible for prepared students. ADN programs at community colleges often have waitlists — your GPA and prerequisites determine your place in the ranking. BSN programs at major universities are the most competitive. The key levers: maintain a 3.0+ GPA in prerequisites, gain clinical experience, and apply to multiple programs at different selectivity levels.

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