Choosing the top nursing school in Florida is an important decision. Not only do you want to make sure that your education is top-notch, but you also want to be sure that the tuition is affordable and fits into your budget. We recommend that you look into these top-rated schools for nursing.
Top Tips on Selecting the Top Nursing School in Florida
Are you looking for a top-tier nursing program in Florida? Well below are the top tips to help you in your selection process.
Specific Qualities
Look for specific qualities in your school. For example, does your school offer online courses? If you are not able to join the bricks-and-mortar classrooms, you will need an option that allows for distance learning. Is there a nursing program at night or on weekends? You might be working full-time during the day, so it is important to ensure that you can attend class during hours of operation. What is the student-to-faculty ratio? This is important because you want your professors to be available for one-on-one time.
Accreditation status of nursing program in Florida
Ensure that the school has accreditation by an agency recognized by either CHEA or COA. How long has the school been operational? It might seem like this is a no-brainer, but you might be surprised to learn that some schools have been around for many years while others are relatively new. Look at the school’s history of graduates and their pass rates on licensing exams.
Look into your future career path
Think about what you want to do after graduation? Are there opportunities in Florida, or will you have to relocate? Will you be able to work in a certain state after graduation if the appropriate agency does not accredit your nursing program?
Tuition and Financial Aid Costs
What kind of financial aid is available for students at your school of choice? Make sure that there are no hidden costs or tuition fees. Also, find out what types of payment plans are available for the school.
Familiarize yourself with the school’s faculty
Talk to some current students, ask them about their experiences. Do they really enjoy attending? Find out if there are any stories of student debt or poor job prospects after graduation. Make sure that your program is licensed and accredited by the appropriate agencies–CHEA or COA. Look up each agency to ensure you are choosing a school with accreditation. Look into the faculty members; find out if they have been published in many notable journals or publications? If so, this is a great indicator of quality education and training for students attending your nursing program in Florida.
Job placement opportunities
Talk to someone in the career office; find out what their job placement rates are like. Do they offer resources or support services through this department? You want to make sure that there are jobs available for you once you graduate and become an RN. So a school that has a connection with local hospitals is a great place to start your nursing career.
Class Size
When looking for the top-rated school in Florida, make sure that they offer one-on-one time with professors and have a student-to-faculty ratio of less than 15:100. Find out what accreditation status means and if there is financial aid available as well as payment plans. Finally, look into the faculty and their history of publication in notable journals or publications to ensure you choose a school with quality nursing education and training programs.
Scholarships
Can you obtain a scholarship to help with tuition costs? Many schools offer scholarships for top students. How many scholarship opportunities does the school offer? And who is eligible? These are some of the questions you should ask to ensure that the school of your choice offers financial support for students who need it.
Alumni
Do the alumni connect with current students; find out if they are happy to be attending this school. You can also speak with alumni and ask about their experiences. Are the alumni members still active with the university, and do they offer to current mentor students?
What are the very common job titles for nurses?
The commonly held nursing position is registered, nurse. However, licensed practical or vocational nurses are also commonly held positions. Other nurses can be found in specialty fields such as dialysis, public health, and sports medicine, to name a few examples.
Nurse Practitioner
If you want to specialize or get into a nurse practitioner, one of the top nursing programs in Florida will offer this certification after graduation. Some universities only allow their students to become nurse practitioners after completing their Master’s degree. This is important because you want to make sure that the university has a good track record for placing nurses into jobs with high salaries!
Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) or Vocational Nurse
An LPN license requires about one year of training at an approved school and passing a state licensing exam. LPNs can work in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care facilities that provide medical or rehabilitative services to patients with injuries or illnesses.
Registered Nurse (RN)
An RN has completed an approved program at an institution of higher education, been accepted into the Nursing Education Program from her/his school, and successfully completed the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) to become an RN.
FAQs: Top Nursing School in Florida
What is the average graduation rate of nursing students?
The average graduation rate is approximately 80%.
How much does the average nursing student loan debt cost?
The average amount for students with loans is $51,000.
What are the most common job prospects for nurses?
The most popular employment sector is hospitals. State, local, and federal agencies also offer jobs.
Conclusion
While we can’t make the decision for you, we hope that this list will help to guide your search. We already know that how challenging it is to find a school that has both quality and affordability.
That is why we put together this list of Florida nursing schools ranked by their tuition rates so you could compare them easily side-by-side. With these rankings in hand, finding the best place for you should be much easier!
