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Best Nursing Schools in Tampa, Florida in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

Best Nursing Schools in Tampa, Florida in 2024 (On-Campus & Online)

Best Nursing Schools in Tampa, Florida in 2020 (On-Campus & Online)Are you looking for nursing schools in Central Florida? You’re in luck. The best nursing schools in Tampa Florida offer an outstanding opportunity for you to receive an outstanding nursing education and get started on your nursing career. Many nurses expand their career by continuing their nursing education at a Tampa Florida on-campus or online location that offers advanced nursing degree programs. The reputation of the schools and the high exam pass rates make Tampa Florida an ideal location to receive your nursing education. There are many options such as certified nursing assistant schools in Tampa, Florida and other specialties. Whether you’re looking for a BSN nursing program in Florida or another type of nursing program, you’ll be sure to find an option below.

Nursing is a rapidly-growing field, with opportunities for advancing your career, and earnings potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that there is much faster than average job growth for registered nurses (RNs) between the years 2018 through 2028, with an anticipated 371,500 RNs added to the workforce. The $71,730 median annual salary of an RN demonstrates the earnings potential for an RN with proper credentials. The median annual salary of LPNs, often the first nursing program completed, is $46,240 according to the BLS. The LPN also has an anticipated much faster than average job growth over the next several years.

Why are Nurses in Such High Demand?

Baby boomers are aging and entering their senior years. This means a likelihood that they need more medical care than in their younger years. Americans are living longer, which means that they need health care longer than in past generations. The increase in chronic disease diagnoses, advances in medical care, and the emphasis on preventive care mean that more nurses are needed in a variety of healthcare settings.

Finding good nurse practitioner schools in Tampa, Florida is important. Nurse practitioners obtain advanced degrees, often coordinate care and work in a variety of healthcare settings. The job outlook for nurse practitioners and nurse midwives is expected to grow much faster than average through at least 2028, with the addition of at least 62,000 more nurses needed in this field of nursing. We’ve made it easier to find good nursing schools in Tampa, Florida by compiling this list. Whether you’re looking for nurse anesthetist schools in Tampa, Florida or other specialties, the following guide will help you choose between the best schools possible.

Best Nursing Schools in Tampa Florida

1. University of South Florida

The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree at the University of South Florida provides students that hold a current BSN the opportunity to advance their nursing career. The school offers several concentrations including Adult gerontology-primary care/acute care, pediatric health nursing, nursing education, or family health concentrations.

USF also created the Veteran to Bachelor’s (VBSN) or V-CARE degree in 2013 for the purpose of filling the need for veterans that want to continue their nursing education. The V-CARE program is tailored to each veteran, based on each veteran’s training and education as an Army medic, U.S. Air Force medic, or Navy corpsman. V-CARE graduates from the University of South Florida meet the high demands for nursing in the Tampa area, around the state or around the world, working in the civilian or military sectors.

  • Tuition: $105.07-$347.91 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)

2. South University

The RN to MSN program at South University offers the Family Nurse Practitioner specialization. This allows students to pursue their preferred specialization, and gain the nursing skills to excel in treating families throughout their life stages.

This program is unique because of its streamlined, yet intensive programming, which allows RNs that do not currently hold a BSN degree to receive both a BSN and MSN degree at the same time. The advanced nature of the program prepares you for the next step in your nursing career.

  • Tuition: $500 per credit hour
  • NCLEX pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

3. Pasco-Hernando State College

Start your nursing education at Pasco-Hernando State College, or continue your education and advance your career in nursing. If you have your Associate of Science degree (ADN) and hold current RN licensure, this program paves the way for you to obtain your BSN in nursing.

The school recognizes the importance of educating tomorrow’s leaders in nursing and offers courses that prepare nurses for leadership roles, education roles, and roles in a variety of healthcare settings.

  • Tuition per credit hour: approx. $330.81
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 90.95%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

4. Maryville University

Maryville University offers several online nursing programs, including the popular RN to BSN program. Advance your skills and your career opportunities when you complete this program. The school offers this program 100 percent online for current registered nurses (RNs). Transfer your credits, and get started in this accelerated program. Connect with faculty that have the expertise to guide you through the program that trains you to provide advanced care, and develop leadership skills. There are three annual start dates for the RN to BSN program.

  • Tuition: $500 per credit hour
  • NCLEX pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

5. University of Tampa

The University of Tampa is one of the best nursing schools in Tamp. Their traditional BSN program is for students that want to obtain a BSN, but do not have nursing credits. Students gain the skills to work in an exciting career, and potentially continue their nursing education at the University of Tampa after obtaining their BSN degree. Participate in clinical opportunities right in Tampa, and gain opportunities to work in a variety of healthcare settings.

  • Tuition: $596 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

6. Arizona College of Nursing – Tampa

The Arizona College of Nursing – Tampa is a brand-new nursing school campus that enrolled its first BSN students in January 2020. The accelerated three-year BSN program likely appeals to many students that appreciate the fact that there are no required prerequisites. Complete your BSN with 120 credit hours of curriculum, and 877 hours of clinical experience. Students receive one-on-one attention, whether in the classroom, simulated labs, or clinical rotations.

Students enjoy a program that fits their schedule and allows them to take blended courses, and evening classes.

  • Tuition: approx. $589.56 per credit hour
  • NCLEX pass rate: 96.3%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

8. Lincoln Memorial University – Caylor

The Lincoln Memorial University and Advent Health collaborated to create the off-campus location of the Caylor School of Nursing. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) at the Tampa location holds nurses to high moral, professional, and ethical standards in their endeavor to complete their 100 percent online DNP degree.

Instructors are experts in their field and include practitioners in the field of nursing and professionals in education. The school recognizes the importance of educating highly-qualified nurses as the need for nurses continues to grow in the future.

  • Tuition: $690 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: ACEN (Candidate)

9. Galen College of Nursing

Are you new to nursing, but ready to commit to a rewarding career? The Galen College of Nursing Tampa location offers the Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) to help you gain the tools needed to become a nurse, through hands-on learning experiences along with clinical experiences. The program curriculum helps you gain the knowledge to sit for the NCLEX exam.

  • Tuition: $380 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 92%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

10. Rasmussen College

The Rasmussen College Tampa location offers several nursing programs, including the Associate’s degree in nursing (ADN). If you are just entering into nursing education, this is an ideal program to start working towards a rewarding nursing career. Gain the knowledge, professional skills, and confidence to work as a nurse in a variety of healthcare settings.

Students potentially complete the Rasmussen ADN program in as few as 18 months.

  • Tuition: approx. $341.72 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 78.26%
  • Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

11. Jersey College

Students that enroll in the Jersey College LPN to RN bridge program engage in classroom, lab, and clinical experiences. Learn the skills required for real-life nursing practice. This degree program is for individuals that hold current LPN licensure and wish to advance their careers.

Jersey College offers an open curriculum, which means that students have more flexibility in starting and graduation times, compared to some other colleges with nursing programs.

  • Tuition: $348 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first time pass rate: 87.80%
  • Accreditation: ACEN

12. Utica College

Utica College offers the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) degree, which provides students the opportunity to complete their degree in as little as 16 months. Students engage in the rigorous accelerated program that includes completing courses in an interactive e-learning platform. Nursing program students participate in clinical skills exercises and clinical simulations, with Utica College nursing faculty and staff members providing guidance and support. Students also participate in clinical rotations in a variety of diverse healthcare settings, whether they attend the location near Tampa or another Utica College site.

  • Tuition: $850 per credit hour
  • NCLEX first-time pass rate: 93%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Bonus Online Nursing Schools

Not all brick-and-mortar nursing schools are an option, so we’ve included the following nursing program that’s available 100% online.

Advent Health University

Become a leader in your field when you complete the Advent Health University MSN online degree. The university understands that you want to advance your career, and welcomes you to choose your choice of either the Administration and Leadership track, the Education track, or the Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) track.

The MSN program is 100 percent online with 24-hour access. Complete your courses on your own schedule, while you continue to work or take care of family responsibilities.

  • Tuition per credit hour: $630
  • NCLEX pass rate: 100%
  • Accreditation: CCNE

Methodology

We rank each individual school by assigning a unique score for tuition rate, NCLEX pass rate, and accreditation. In event of a tie, the school with the lower tuition receives the higher ranking.

We always do our best to be fair, honest, and accurate in our representation of each school. No school can pay us for a higher ranking. Any college or university wishing to be sponsored is listed separately and clearly labeled as SPONSORED.

Disclaimer: We cannot guarantee current tuition costs or other information, because colleges periodically change their tuition costs and other information. NCLEX pass rates also potentially change with each semester.

Feel free to contact us with any questions.

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