Accelerated Nursing Programs in Florida: Fast-Track Your Nursing Career
If you are looking for a nursing career and want to get started as quickly as possible, an Accelerated Nursing Program (also called an ABSN or Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing) could be your ticket to a nursing career. An accelerated nursing programs in Florida is suited to students who already have a degree in another field, typically a bachelor's degree, and would like to obtain a BSN in less than half the time it would take through a traditional program.
There are many universities in the state of Florida offering their version of accelerated nursing programs that differ in length, format, and specialization. Here's an overview of a number of the best accelerated nursing programs found in Florida to help you find the perfect fit for your nursing career goal.
1. University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies – Miami, FL
Overview:
University of Miami - ABSEN: Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing. There is an ABSEN program at the university for students who already have a degree in some other field. This full-time, 12-month program is intended to allow learners to become nurses through a period of full-time schooling.
Options:
Program Length: 12 months
Curriculum: High intensity courses and clinical rotations combined with simulation-based learning to enable students to acquire basic clinical skills.
Clinical Rotations: Participants may be placed by partnerships established with some of the region's ranked-top hospitals and healthcare facilities in Miami.
Prerequisites: A non-nursing baccalaureate degree and specific prerequisite coursework for the program must be met by applicants.
Why University of Miami?
Ranking: One of the top universities in Florida and nursing programs associated with the University of Miami Health System.
Research and Innovation: Involvement in various nursing research projects and health disparity initiatives.
State-of-the-Art Facilities: Simulation labs and clinical placements in reputable health care organizations.
2. University of Florida College of Nursing – Gainesville, FL
Overview:
The University of Florida offers an Accelerated BSN for students who have obtained a bachelor's degree in any field other than nursing. This is a full-time program in which students can earn a BSN in approximately 13 months, so they are prepared to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam at graduation.
Program Length:
- 13 months, part-time.
Curriculum:
- Advanced nursing theory, skill training, and practicum in selected areas.
Clinical placements:
- Placement opportunity in top hospitals and medical centers of UF Health.
Prerequisite:
- Applicants are required to complete prerequisites in college credit hours in sciences and nursing before enrolling.
Why the University of Florida?
Access to UF Health: Clinical placement with one of Florida's leading academic health systems.
Opportunities for research: Work collaboratively with faculties and research centers.
Reputation: A very respected nursing school in Florida.
3. University of Central Florida College of Nursing – Orlando, FL
Overview:
The University of Central Florida provides an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) to a population who have earned a non-nursing bachelor's degree. This is a one full year, full-time curriculum for that student looking to transition as quickly as possible into the nursing profession.
Special Features:
Program Length: 12-16 months full-time.
Curriculum: Nursing Fundamentals, Advanced Clinical Skills, Professional Nursing Roles and more.
Clinical Experience: Students experience clinical rotations in local hospitals such as Orlando Health and AdventHealth.
Prerequisites: Complete all the general education courses. Such as Anatomy, Physiology, and Microbiology.
Why UCF?
Large and Diverse Program: One of the biggest nursing schools in Florida, great opportunities for clinical practice and interdisciplinary learning.
High Clinical Partnerships: Economical access to substantial health providers for clinical learning.
Variety of Learning Opportunities: The program provides options in terms of different academic backgrounds and professional goals the students have.
4. Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing – Boca Raton, FL
Description:
Florida Atlantic University (FAU) has an accelerated BSN for students with any completed bachelor's degree that is not in nursing. It's 12 months, and it's incredibly intense and full-time.
Key Features:
Program Length: 12 months
Curriculum: Fast-paced program with classroom learning and clinical rotations and simulation labs.
Clinical Rotations: They receive clinical experience at Boca Raton Regional Hospital and other local health facilities.
Prerequisites: The applicants have to meet the science and general education prerequisites such as microbiology, anatomy, and chemistry.
Why Florida Atlantic University?
Location: Ideally located in South Florida with proximity to a number of health care facilities for clinical training.
Accreditation: The nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.
Innovative Curriculum: The emphasis is on clinical expertise and practical nursing.
5. Jacksonville University Keigwin School of Nursing – Jacksonville, FL
Overview:
The Keigwin School of Nursing at Jacksonville University offers an Accelerated BSN program for degree holders with a BS in a field other than nursing. It is a full-time program lasting 12 months. This program is characterized by intensive coursework and blends clinical training, offering more than hands-on experience but also opportunities that can easily transition one into life as a nurse.
Skills:
Program Duration: 12 months (full-time).
Program Curriculum: High pace curriculum to prepare graduates for NCLEX and the clinical environment.
Clinical Rotations: Affiliations with local hospitals including Baptist Health and St. Vincent's HealthCare.
Pre-req Coursework: General education courses must be completed by applicant prior to entry into program which will include anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
Why Jacksonville University?
Class is smaller in size; attention is more personalized.
Clinical placements are superior due to solid relationships with health care facilities in the area.
Accredited Program: CCNE Fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).
6. Nova Southeastern University College of Nursing – Fort Lauderdale, FL
Program Overview:
Nova Southeastern University (NSU) offers an Accelerated BSN that caters to those graduates who have a bachelor's degree in a discipline outside of nursing. The program is held at its main campus in Fort Lauderdale and takes one year to complete.
Program Details:
Length: 12 months full-time.
Curriculum: A balanced curriculum that equips the student for NCLEX and nurtures them for strong critical nursing practice.
Clinical Rotations: The students graduate their clinical training at hospitals and health care institutions in Fort Lauderdale, including Broward Health Medical Center and Holy Cross Health.
Prerequisites: The applicants must possess prerequisites; for example, human anatomy, microbiology, and statistics.
Why Nova Southeastern University?
Flexibility: NSU offers both full-time and part-time coursework, thus helping students balance education with professional commitments.
Well-respected faculty: Nursing faculty experienced and mentoring.
Strong healthcare network: Clinical placements with a number of leading health care systems in South Florida.
7. University of South Florida College of Nursing – Tampa, FL
Overview:
The Accelerated BSN program at the University of South Florida welcomes students with a non-nursing bachelor's degree. This is a full-time program, which lasts from 12 to 15 months, allowing those who are willing to prepare for sitting for the NCLEX-RN and, following licensure, will practice professionally in many available specialties.
Key Features:
Program Length: 12-15 months full-time.
Curriculum: A combination of in-depth nursing coursework, clinical practice, and professional development.
Clinical Rotations: Students are placed at leading hospitals in the Tampa Bay area, such as Tampa General Hospital and Moffitt Cancer Center.
Pre-requisites: Applicants are expected to have completed pre-requisite courses in human anatomy, physiology, and microbiology.
Why USF?
Clinical Excellence: Practice with hospitals and health care centers.
Research and Leadership: An opportunity for nursing research and leadership development.
Good Academic Reputation: USF ranks among the best nursing schools in Florida each year.
Conclusion
Accelerated nursing courses in Florida provide one very excellent opportunity for a person who has a bachelor's degree in another discipline that feels a calling to a nursing profession. Fast-track BSN programs take just 12-16 months, and you'll be able to enter the workforce before most traditional nursing programs.
There are several of the best colleges which offer accelerated BSN programs in Florida; these colleges offer an opportunity for clinical sites in outstanding healthcare facilities and prepare students for licensure through the NCLEX-RN upon graduation. If you want to change careers into nursing, one of these programs can get you there much quicker while putting you on a stronger footing in practice.