The Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) remains the most common credential for entering the profession of nursing change is coming. Healthcare employers, especially hospitals, are employing more nurses who have a bachelor’s degree in nursing or higher. The additional instruction covered in the BSN program, such as leadership, community health, communication, critical thinking, and evidence-based practice prepare graduates for greater responsibilities in the healthcare environment.
With all the push towards the BSN, is there any hope for ADN graduates? Fortunately, BSN programs cannot produce professional nurses fast enough to meet industry demands. Healthcare employers need all nurses on deck to meet growing demands for patient care. ADN-prepared nurses fill some positions in hospitals and many more in non-traditional settings such as clinics, schools, long-term care facilities, and physicians’ offices. After completing the program, ADN graduates can boost their salaries and career outlook by enrolling in an RN to BSN program to complete the BSN in just 12 additional months.
Florida State College at Jacksonville
The Associate in Science (A.S.) in Nursing program at Florida State College combines general education courses with professional courses delivered in the classroom, skills lab, and supervised clinical experiences. The clinical rotations will be conducted in area hospitals and other medical facilities and will give students the opportunity to put their knowledge to practical use in a real-world setting. The nursing courses are sequenced and must be completed in the specified order. A minimum grade C is required for advancement to the next course in the sequence. Program graduates will be eligible to take the NCLEX for Registered Nurses to work as entry-level nurses. New students are admitted in the Fall, Summer, and Spring semesters.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 72
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
Prerequisite courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, College Algebra
General education courses – English Composition I, Chemistry for Liberal Arts, Microbiology, Human Growth and Development, General Psychology
Core courses – Nursing Concepts: Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan I, Nursing Concepts: Health and Wellness Across the Lifespan II, Health-Illness Concepts Across the Lifespan I, Health Alterations Across the Lifespan I, Health-Illness Concepts Across the Lifespan II, Health Alterations Across the Lifespan II, Nursing Concepts: Families in Crisis Complex Health Problems I, Nursing Concepts: Families in Crisis: Complex Health Problems II, NCLEX Review
Admission criteria:
- Complete prerequisite courses with a GPA of 2.0 or better – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, College Algebra
- Complete general education courses before applying for the program
- Submit an application to the nursing program online by the published deadline
- Must have a high school diploma or high school equivalent
- Submit current HESI A2 test scores
- Request official college transcripts to be forwarded to the school’s admissions department
- Must have current Health Care Provider CPR card in Basic Life Support for adult, child, and infant. American Heart Association or American Red Cross required
- Undergo drug screening and background check. Candidates with unsatisfactory results will be denied access to the clinical experiences and impair the ability to graduate from the program
- A physical exam may be required upon acceptance to the program
- Must have adequate health insurance coverage
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition is $104.88 per credit hour for in-state residents. Non-residents will pay $401.27 per credit hour. Besides tuition and fees, students will have to pay for transportation to the clinical sites, textbooks, supplies, background check, drug screen, and NCLEX fee. The program is eligible for Federal financial aid.
- Website: https://www.fscj.edu/home
- Address: 4501 Capper Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218
- Phone: (904) 766-6500
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 80.00%
Jersey College Nursing School Jacksonville Campus
The Associate Degree in Nursing program at Jersey College has two tracks for entry. The generic track is geared towards adults with no prior experience in nursing. It covers nursing and general education courses delivered in the classroom, home assignments, skills labs, and clinical experiences in various health care facilities. The LPN to RN Bridge track is targeted to current licensed practical nurses who are in good standing with the state board. It gives LPNs the opportunity to seamlessly prepare for licensure as a registered nurse. The program will also include theory, skills lab, and clinical experiences. Program graduates will earn an Associate of Science degree in Nursing (A.S.N.) and will be eligible to take the NCLEX to become a registered nurse. Day and evening schedules are available.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 113
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – Microbiology: Impact of Microorganisms on the Environment, Composition I, Pathophysiology, Nutrition, College Algebra, Life Span Development, Sociology, Basic Anatomy and Physiology, Healthcare Foundations, Health Assessment and Skills
Core courses – Medical-Surgical Nursing I Perspectives and Assessment of Care, Geriatric Nursing Management Concepts for Elder Care, Psychiatric Nursing: Assessment and Management of Mental Health, Maternal Newborn Nursing: A Family and Community Based Approach, Pediatric Nursing: Care for the Children and Their Families, Principles of Pharmacology, Medical Surgical Nursing II: Perspectives and Assessment of Care, Nursing Leadership and NCLEX Seminar
Admission criteria:
- Be at least 18 years or older
- Provide documentation of completing high school or equivalent
- Provide proof of US citizenship or permanent residency
- Submit a completed application for admission
- Attend an interview with an administrator or member of faculty and secure a recommendation for admission
- Make a deposit for tuition and fees
- Pass a background check
- Execute an Enrollment Agreement
- Attend a program orientation
- Complete and submit all enrollment paperwork
- Provide evidence of good physical health including documentation of fitness to work in healthcare
- Provide up-to-date immunization documentation – MMR, Mantoux test, Hepatitis B, Varicella, and immunizations
- Must have current certification in Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association
- Meet the program’s technical standards
- Submit to drug screening throughout the program
Program Cost:
The estimated total for tuition and fees is $51,195. It includes books, enrollment fee, application fee, technology and verification fee, uniform fee, nursing kit, and computer fee. Students must cover the cost of the background check, immunization, CPR certification, and drug screen. The program is eligible for Federal financial aid.
- Website: https://www.jerseycollege.edu/
- Address: 8131 Baymeadows Cir W, Jacksonville, FL 32256
- Phone: (904) 404-9551
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.71%
St Johns River State College
The Associate in Science Degree in Nursing program at St Johns River State College is a limited-access program. The program includes theory and practical training in the lab and clinical sites to prepare students for a career as a registered nurse. The modern classrooms simulate hospitals and actual patient scenarios and include state-of-the-art equipment and manikins to provide hands-on training in preparation for the real-world clinical. They will gain knowledge and skills to provide safe and competent care, instruct and counsel patients and their families, and develop and manage nursing care plans. Program graduates are eligible to apply for the NCLEX for Registered Nurses.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 72
Duration: 5 semesters
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – Composition I, General Education Humanities, Microbiology, Microbiology Lab, General Psychology, College Algebra
Nursing related courses – Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy and Physiology I Lab, Human Anatomy and Physiology II, Anatomy and Physiology II Lab, Human Growth and Development, Human Nutrition
Core courses – Foundations of Nursing Practice, Foundations of Nursing Practice Lab, Adult Health Nursing I, Clinical Pharmacology, Adult Health Nursing II, Mental Health Nursing, Adult Health Nursing III, Parent Child Nursing, Adult Health Nursing IV, Transitional Nursing, Humanities
Admission criteria:
- Be at least 18 years or older
- Apply for admission to SJR state
- Complete all nine nursing prerequisite courses with a GPA of 3.0 or above by the end of the application period
- Submit all external college transcripts to SJR’s records department
- Sign a consent and waiver to perform a criminal and professional background check and drug screen. Admission is conditional upon the results of the background check and drug screen
- Attend a nursing student orientation
- Complete the American Health Association Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers (CPR & AED) program before the first day of class
- Submit the report of a physical exam verifying acceptable health status
- Must have liability/malpractice insurance of $1,000,000 per incident and $3,000,000 per aggregate
- Initiate and maintain an annual subscription to myClinicalExchange as a clinical requirement
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition is $108 per credit hour for in-state residents. Non-residents will pay $388.94 per credit hour. It includes financial aid fee, student activities fee, capital improvement fee, access fee, and technology fee. Additional costs include transportation to clinical sites, textbooks, supplies, background check, drug screen, and NCLEX fee. The program is eligible for Federal financial aid.
- Website: http://sjrstate.edu/nursing.html
- Address: 283 College Dr, Orange Park, FL 32065
- Phone: (904) 276-6800
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 87.5%
Fortis College
The Associate of Science degree in Nursing at Fortis College includes 1,500 contact hours of theory and practical training delivered in a hybrid format. Some of the courses will be delivered online and the rest will be taught in a traditional on-campus setting. The online courses will be delivered through a consortium agreement with Fortis College in Ohio. The clinical experiences are an essential part of the program and may begin as early as 6:00 am and go as late as 11:00 pm. Students may be scheduled on the occasional Saturday or Sunday. At the conclusion of the program, students will be able to analyze data to provide holistic client-centered care, use the nursing process, critical thinking and evidence-based information to make sound clinical decisions. Use effective verbal, non-verbal, and written communication, collaborate with individuals, families, and the health care team to provide individualized patient care, and pursue activities that will support personal growth. Graduates will be eligible to apply to sit the NCLEX-RN to obtain a license to practice nursing.
Program Outline
Quarter credits: 106
Duration: 96 instructional weeks
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – Anatomy and Physiology I, Anatomy and Physiology II, General Biology, Microbiology, Introduction to Informatics, Effective Communication, English Composition, College Mathematics, Pharmacology, Health Assessment, General Psychology, Human Growth and Development, Sociology
Core courses – Foundations of Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Maternal Newborn Nursing, Pediatric Nursing, Leadership and Management, Community Nursing Concepts, Mental Health Nursing, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Transition to Practice – Capstone, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition
Admission criteria:
- Be at least 17 years or older. Students must be 18 years or older by the start of the clinical portion of the program
- Must be a high school graduate or have recognized equivalent
- Complete an application information form
- Attend an interview with an admissions representative
- Take and pass the Wonderlic SLE with a score of 16 or better
- Be able to meet all financial obligations
- Agree to and sign the Fortis College Enrollment Agreement
- Pass the Online Competency Assessment with a score of 70% or higher
- Take the HESI Admission Assessment Exam and achieve a score of 75% or higher on the English Language Composite Score
- Provide a valid form of identification with a picture, name, and address
- Submit to and pass a drug screening test
- Submit to and pass a criminal background check
- Submit a copy of current Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers certification from the American Heart Association. The CPR certification must be maintained throughout the length of the program
- Submit a signed Allied Health and Nursing Program waiver
- Health insurance may be required by some clinical sites
- Complete all the required immunization – hepatitis B, varicella, Tdap, MMR, TST, seasonal influenza
Program Cost:
The cost of the nursing program is $52,216. It includes enrollment fee, tuition, reference books, student kit, laptop, uniforms, textbooks, background check, drug test, and licensure exam. The program is eligible for Federal financial aid.
- Website: https://www.fortis.edu/
- Address: 700 Blanding Blvd., Suite 16 Orange Park, FL 32065
- Phone: (904) 269-7086
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 83%
Keiser University
Keiser University’s Associate of Science degree in Nursing prepares adults for entry-level registered nurse positions. Students will acquire specialized knowledge, develop clinical judgment, and use critical thinking in the delivery of patient care. They will learn how to assess, diagnose, plan, implement, and evaluate care, teach and counsel patients, promote wellness, maintain health and prevent illness, and administer treatments and medications prescribed. Graduates will know how to employ communication and shared decision making in practice to achieve health care goals, use evidence-based information technology to support clinical decision making, use knowledge of the science of nursing to identify patient needs, and demonstrate accountability in practice. They will be eligible to apply to sit the NCLEX for Registered Nurse licensure.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 72
Duration: 2 years
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – Introduction to Computers, English Composition I, English Composition II, American Literature, English Literature, Intermediate Algebra, Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Human Anatomy & Physiology II, Microbiology I
Core courses – Fundamentals of Nursing, Nursing Pharmacology, Basic Adult Health Care, Maternity Nursing Care, Pediatric Nursing, Advanced Adult Health Care, Nursing Roles Practicum, Life Span Development, Introduction to Psychology
Admission criteria:
- Submit a completed Keiser University application
- Submit an official high school transcript with un-weighted GPA above 2.8 or college GPA of 2.0 or above
- Submit a well-constructed essay answering “Why I Would Like to Attend Keiser University and What I Hope to Gain From My Time There”
- Obtain a score of 20 or higher on the Wonderlic SLE entrance exam
- Complete a satisfactory background check – prior to the state of the nursing major
- Attend an interview with the nursing program director or designee
- Obtain a composite score of 60 or higher on the TEAS nursing entrance exam – candidates holding a baccalaureate degree with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher will be exempt from taking the TEAS exam
- Complete the prerequisite courses with a minimum grade of B and cumulative 3.0 GPA
- Complete satisfactory drug screening
- Complete all the required health screening – immunizations
Program Cost:
The cost of tuition for one semester is $11,468. Books and supplies will cost an additional $2,000 per semester. The program is eligible for Federal financial aid.
- Website: https://www.keiseruniversity.edu/
- Address: 6430 Southpoint Pkwy Jacksonville, Florida 32216
- Phone: (904) 296-3440
- Fax: (904) 296-3407
- Email: AdmissionsInfoJAX@keiseruniversity.edu
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 88.24%
Sharron Nursing Academy
The associate degree in nursing program offered at Sharron Nursing Academy provides students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities needed to provide safety and effective practice as a registered nurse. Students will learn how to provide nursing care within the scope of practice of a registered nurse, use the nursing process to identify the basic nurses of the client, provide safe and skillful therapeutic care in nursing situations, and demonstrate effective relationships with patients and members of the healthcare team. Graduates will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensure exam. The program is offered as a daytime program that may be completed in four semesters and an evening program consisting of six semesters and a summer session. Forty students are admitted twice yearly.
Program Outline
Semester credits: 87
Duration: 15+
Method of instruction: Traditional
Course titles:
General education courses – Intermediate Algebra, English Composition I, Cultural Diversity, Introduction to Psychology, American History, Medical Terminology, Anatomy and Physiology I with Lab, Anatomy and Physiology II with Lab, Health and Nutrition thru Life Span
Core courses – Elements of Microbiology, Basic Healthcare Worker, Transition to Nursing, Foundations of Nursing, Foundations of Nursing Clinical, Pharmacology/Math, Pharmacology with Lab, Medical Surgical Nursing I, Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical I, Mental Health Nursing, Mental Health Nursing Clinical, Maternal Nursing, Maternal Nursing Clinical, Pediatric Nursing, Pediatric Nursing Clinical, Medical Surgical Nursing II, Medical Surgical Nursing Clinical II, Community Nursing, Clinical Competencies Nursing Exams, Management and Leadership
Admission criteria:
- Be at least 18 years or older
- Provide documentation of completing high school or equivalent
- Provide proof of US citizenship or permanent residency
- Submit a completed application for admission to Sharron Nursing Academy
- Attend an interview with an administrator or member of faculty and secure a recommendation for admission
- Pass a criminal history check
- Complete and submit all enrollment paperwork
- Provide evidence of good physical health including documentation of fitness to work in healthcare
- Provide up-to-date immunization documentation – MMR, Mantoux test, Hepatitis B, Varicella, and immunizations
- Must have current certification in Basic Life Support for Health Care Providers from the American Heart Association
- Submit to drug screening throughout the program
Program Cost:
The estimated total for tuition and fees is $33,655. It includes tuition, books, and supplies. Students must cover the cost of the background check, immunization, CPR certification, and drug screen. Sharron Nursing Academy is not accredited so students may not be eligible for Title IV Federal Financial Assistance or State Student Financial Assistance.
- Website: https://www.sharronnursingacademy.com/
- Address: 5045 Soutel Drive, Suite 13, Jacksonville, Florida 32208
- Phone: 904-799-8059
- NCLEX-RN Pass Rate: 77.82%
How Do I Become a Nurse In Jacksonville, FL
Registered nurses in Florida are registered by the Florida Board of Nursing. You must first enroll in and successfully complete a registered nursing program such as the associate degree in nursing or the bachelor of science in nursing. The program must be approved by the state board. The next step is to take and pass the state licensure exam. This requires approval from the Board, which you will receive after submitting an application for licensure. The nursing license will be issued once you pass the exam and meet the other requirements for licensure including a satisfactory background check.
Full details in the process for licensure is available here.
How Do I Become a Registered Nurse Fast in Florida?
The associate degree in nursing provides the fastest route to registered nursing in Florida and other states. The program is designed to be completed in two years and prepares the nursing graduate for entry-level nursing in acute and long-term care facilities. Associate degree in nursing programs are offered at public and private schools in Jacksonville and includes theory in the classroom and practical learning activities conducted local health care facilities.
How Long is the Nursing Program in Jacksonville?
The associate degree in nursing program prepares students for a career as a registered nurse. The duration of this entry-level program is 18 to 24 months. The bachelor of science in nursing program is 4 years.
What Is A RN’s Salary in Florida?
The average annual wage for new nurse graduates in Florida is $51,252. Experienced nurses holding an associate of science nursing earn an average annual wage of $72,355. BSN-prepared nurses earn an average of 36 percent more than nurses holding the ADN degree.
Is There A High Demand For Nurses in Florida?
Florida has been greatly affected by the nursing shortage. The state is among the top five states with the greatest demand for new nurses. The Florida Hospital Association projects that there will be a shortage of more than 59,000 nurses within the state by the year 2035. ADN and BSN programs within the state are expanding their offerings to prepare more nurses to meet the growing demands for competent healthcare workers.