MSN Programs in Florida

By EveryNurse Staff on January 16, 2023

With one of the largest, growing populations of elderly residents in the United States, the need to employ more nurses is much greater in Florida than in other states. This high demand sees many nurses pursuing an MSN program in Florida as a way to obtain an advanced degree from a local college or university. In addition to earning more money and qualifying for an expanded range of job opportunities, health care professionals with a Master of Science in Nursing are also able to pursue careers associated with education and administration.

Schools With MSN Programs in Florida

Located in Fort Lauderdale, Nova Southeastern University offers a campus-based CCNE accredited master’s degree program for nurses looking to concentrate their studies on Health Systems Leadership or Public/Community Health Nursing. The school also offers the Bridge Graduate Program, which is designed to allow RNs with a bachelor degree in a discipline other than nursing to earn an MSN. These students do not earn a BSN, and will graduate with a Master of Science in Nursing.

The Florida Division of Nursing at Barry University in Miami Shores offers a MSN program that focuses on molding Advanced Practice Nurses (APNs) ready to take on a leadership role in both clinical and non-clinical settings. The three areas of specialization offered at the school include Nurse Executive Leadership, Nurse Educator, and Nurse Practitioner. One of the perks that the University offers a registered nurse with a BSN degree is a 30% discount on tuition for any of the Master of Science in Nursing programs. The MSN programs at the University are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).

Florida Atlantic University, located in Boca Raton, offers several concentrations within its MSN program through the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing. They are Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Administrative and Financial Leadership, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Educator, and an Individualized Track.

Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers offers a CCNE accredited master’s degree program for nurses with an interest in acute care, anesthesia, education, primary health care, or becoming a clinical nurse leader. The 28-month Anesthesia program is the only university-based program of its kind that leads to a MSN in Southwest Florida. Graduates of the Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner track are eligible to pursue national certification as either an Adult Nurse Practitioner (ANP) or as a Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP).

The University of Miami MSN program offers campus-based instruction at the Coral Gables campus, and provides CCNE accredited studies for nurses interested in pursuing a career as an Acute Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, or Nurse Educator. The program also accommodates students with an interest in Nurse Anesthesia. Classes take place at the Christine Schwartz Center for Nursing and Health Studies, as well as at the university’s medical campus located in downtown Miami. While the MSN programs begin each fall semester, nurses will face varying deadlines, program length, admission criteria, and tuition costs according to their chosen program.

For nurses wishing to obtain an advanced degree as a nursing generalist, the College of Nursing at the University of Florida has a Master of Science in Nursing degree program that offers a Clinical Nurse Leader Track. It is currently the only track that the school offers on an MSN level, and is offered only on a part-time basis with available online instruction. Graduates of the program not only enhance their knowledge of clinical practice in unit-based care and learn how to oversee individual patient outcomes, but are also groomed to take on a leadership role at the bedside. The program can be completed within two years.

Florida MSN Checklist

Hold a valid Registered Nurse License in the State of Florida.
Pursue an MSN degree, and complete the program as well as finish other requirements. For example, Clinical Nurse Specialists in Florida must prove the completion of 1,000 hours of clinical experience in a clinical specialty, with a minimum of 500 hours of clinical practice after graduation.
Apply for licensure with the Florida Board of Nursing (~$204 fee) as either an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) or an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP), when applicable. The Board must receive transcripts in a sealed envelope from an applicant’s school of nursing.
Submit proof from an approved nursing specialty board regarding a national advanced practice certification.
Pass Florida’s National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners in Florida must show proof of malpractice insurance or exemption.

Florida MSN Salary & Job Outlook

In order to qualify for advanced placement within the nursing field, those with an interest in expanding upon their skills, knowledge, and capabilities often pursue an MSN in Florida. Upon completion of an advanced-degree program, many nurses encounter job positions with a higher salary. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, common MSN degree-related occupations in Florida pay the following median yearly salaries: medical and health service managers ($103,870), nursing instructors and teachers ($72,020), nurse practitioners ($86,840), and nurse midwives ($87,620).