Are you interested in becoming a nurse in Florida? Florida houses 326,669 active registered nurses (RNs) and nearly 400,000 licensed nurses (not including the advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) – certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and nurse practitioners (NPs)). Florida has a vast amount of opportunities available to become a nurse and, if desired, to expand your knowledge and schooling to become an APRN. Here are some Florida RN stats:
- The highest percentage of Florida RNs are aged 30-39 at 24.3%.
- Florida has the most CRNAs in the country at 3,660.
- The most common areas for Florida RNs to work are hospitals (63%), home health care (6), and extended care facilities (5%).
- 9% of Florida RNs are nurse managers.
Educational Requirements
The first step to becoming a Florida RN is to obtain your high school diploma or equivalent. The next step is to decide what type of nursing school to attend. There are currently 141 nursing programs in Florida with varying tuitions and requirements. If possible, try not to limit yourself by applying to one program. Sometimes, the wait lists can be extensive and seats limited.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
An ADN is offered at many community colleges and takes approximately 2-3 years. Obtaining an ADN is a great start to your nursing career in a cost-efficient way.
Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
A BSN is a 4-year program that is offered at many Florida State Universities and some private colleges. While an ADN can open most doors for prospective nurses, obtaining your BSN may provide a higher earning potential or better opportunities for career advancement.
State Licensing Requirements
The Florida Board of Nursing (BON) is a key resource to completing all necessary tasks to be a Florida RN. To be licensed, complete the following:
- Prospective nurses must first complete the Florida BON application.
- Once the application has been submitted, you must then use a Livescan service provider to submit digital fingerprints, which go to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to search for any criminal history.
NCLEX-RN Examination
Regardless of the nursing program you graduated from, all nursing graduates take the same National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX)-RN. This is a computerized test that is given 6 days a week. It is recommended to take this exam as soon as you can after graduation as this is when you have the most knowledge retention and are likely to have a better success rate. Visit the NCLEX Test Centers website for locations.
If you are interested in taking NCLEX prep classes, there are many options available online. Some are listed below. Before signing up for one, talk with your instructors and classmates to see if they have had success with a previous program or recommend one.
- Kaplan – often a top choice; 97% of students pass the NCLEX on their first try.
- Nursing.com – pass the NCLEX or they will pay you back 200%
- NurseAchieve – most advanced practice exam technology
- Hurst Review – best first-attempt pass rate
- NCLEX Mastery – most affordable
- Mometrix University – best free resources
- ATI – best product offerings
- Crush NCLEX – best online course
Job Outlook and Opportunities
Florida is one state that will always be in demand for nurses. As a prime location for retirees and the aging Baby Boomer generation, it is projected that over 200,000 positions will need to be filled by 2030, which is a 15% increase from 2020.
On average, RNs in sunny Florida are paid an average salary of $72,000. However, certain areas in Florida pay more than others. If you want to maximize your salary, the Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and West Palm Beach areas are the highest paid cities for RNs at $74,220. Many employers also offer shift differentials, which are certain shifts that pay more than others (e.g., evening or night shifts, weekends).
Resources and Support
There are many state and national resources available for nurses as you navigate through schooling and the difficulties of working in this new field.
- American Nurses Association
- Florida Nurses Association
- Support groups
- Operation Happy Nurse: Free! To help all nurses decompress and engage with another to practice stress-relief and talk work-related issues.
- New Nurses Facebook Support Group
- Don’t Clock Out: Free virtual peer support group for nurses, nursing students, and nursing assistants.
Nursing is a rewarding career that has countless opportunities to both advance your career or specialize. You will always be in demand and can find the nursing niche that provides the most personal and professional rewards, whether that is working in the hospital in an inpatient unit, as an APRN, or even behind the scenes with an insurance company. Becoming a nurse in all these career opportunities have the same timeline:
- Graduate with a high school diploma or equivalent
- Apply and complete a nursing program
- Fill out the application for the Florida Board of Nursing and complete their requirements
- Take the NCLEX-RN
- Find a job!
Nursing is a work of heart – become a part of the nursing community today.
