Florida, FL | RN to BSN Nursing School Program

RN to BSN degrees in Florida target currently-employed Registered Nurses who want to improve their training while still remaining in their current job. They are unique in that many of them allow RNs to pursue their BSN while still continuing to work through night classes and online degrees. In addition, some programs offer advanced placement via NLN Nursing Acceleration Challenge Exams, which test knowledge in nursing processes and skills, medical and surgical processes and knowledge, pediatrics, mental health and maternal newborn care, and place currently working nurses for accelerated education. Essentially, they test current knowledge and skills to determine the educational development of accepted RNs and allow them to move to higher level courses based on previously acquired knowledge. This allows currently employed Registered Nurses to tailor individual coursework to their needs and to reach career goals and complete an RN to BSN in as little as one year. Indeed, it is a targeted program towards nurses wishing to develop their career beyond that of their current practice.

Entry requirements are similar to other nursing school requirements, such as a minimum of a 2.5 GPA. And like an ADN, admission to general studies is required before applying to a nursing school. Once accepted to the respective college of nursing, students take courses in research, leadership, family and community health, community assessment and upper level electives that allow for further specialization of knowledge during an RN to BSN. Other specialized courses are also available from throughout the science department; RN to BSN students may take anything from upper level biochemistry to philosophy of health and sociology of health.

There is no final test for a BSN, but many schools do set a minimum graduating GPA—a 2.5 or C average is typical. And once a student has graduated, many newfound opportunities for career advancement open up. Research and critical thinking skills, a broader scope of knowledge, and further leadership training can lead to both public and private sector research positions and community health programming beyond a hospital or clinical setting. Leadership and management skills offer the opportunity for advancement in current occupational settings as well. With an average Registered Nurse’s salary sitting around $60,000 (according to BLS.gov) in Florida, this can also mean that graduates of an RSN to BSN program have the opportunity to move to the higher end of the nursing salary scale, which in some cases can reach six figures.