Jacksonville Nursing Programs
Jacksonville is a north Florida city with a population of 836,507. There are several nursing programs in Jacksonville, FL that offer a variety of programs. Whether you are thinking of becoming a nurse or if you are looking to further your nursing career by continuing your education, you can find resources here.
Take some time to read about Jacksonville, FL nursing schools, then request information from the schools that offer the nursing programs you are interested in. You can find schools by selecting your program from the list of options on the left side of this page.
Nursing Schools in Jacksonville, Florida
The University of North Florida (UNF) is fully accredited and offers undergraduate and graduate level programs. They are ranked among the top five nursing programs in Florida. The nursing programs at UNF include:
- Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing
- Accelerated BSN for students with a bachelor’s degree in another field
- RN–BSN Bridge
- Post–MSN Doctor of Nursing Practice
- BSN– DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
- BSN–DNP Nurse Anesthetist
- MSN – Clinical Nurse Specialist
- CCNE accredited in 2010
Jacksonville University is another Jacksonville nursing school, and is ranked by the US News & World Report as one of America’s best colleges and their Graduate School for Nursing is ranked as the best. They offer a number of BSN and graduate programs. They also offer an online RN-BSN or MSN program.
There are several other colleges and online nursing programs in Jacksonville, FL to consider. To see a full list of schools, scroll down to the bottom of the page and choose the program you are interested in.
Life and Career Options for Nurses in Jacksonville
Jacksonville has a number of excellent hospitals where nurses can find employment. The American Nurses Credentialing Center has awarded several hospitals in Jacksonville the magnet award. These hospitals include:
- Baptist Medical Center Beaches
- Baptist Medical Center Downtown
- Baptist Medical Center Nassau
- Baptist Medical Center South
- Baptist Wolfson Children’s Hospital
- UF Health Jacksonville
Hospitals in Jacksonville Florida
Jacksonville salaries for LPN/LVNs average $43,420 annually, according to the BLS, 2016. LPN jobs that pay well are typically found in home healthcare services, assisted living facilities for the elderly and skilled nursing care facilities. The median annual salary for RNs in Jacksonville, FL is $62,980, and the number of jobs is expected to grow at a rate faster than most other occupations.
If you plan to earn an advanced degree at one of the many nursing colleges in Florida, you can likely expect to earn more than you do as a Registered Nurse, depending upon which route you choose.
Most of the nursing colleges in Jacksonville, FL have active members in the Jacksonville Association of Nursing Students, which is a great place to start networking as you further your nursing education. There is also the Florida Nurses Association, and nursing associations for minority students, which are valuable ways to connect with others in nursing.
Curriculum, Costs, and Financial Aid of Nursing School in Jacksonville, FL
Universities and colleges usually have similar requirements for prerequisite courses. These include general education courses in English, Biology, Sociology, Statistics and Chemistry. Nursing courses comprise the majority of credits required and typically include:
- Professional Nursing
- Health Assessment
- Family/Community Assessment
- Advanced Acute Care Concepts
- Mental Health Nursing
- Adult Health/Rehab Nursing Concepts
- Adult Health –Med/Surgical Nursing Concepts
- Nursing Ethics
- Pediatric Nursing Concepts
- Women’s Health Nursing
- Nursing Leadership and Management
- Nursing Science I, II, III
If you need help paying for school, you can apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on the web, or the financial office of the college will also provide assistance. This program will determine what type of support is available, which may include federal, state or institutional aid.
There are also several financial aid programs for students who have served in the military or have a family member that is serving. There is the ROTC scholarship programs for each branch of the service. If you are not eligible for a Pell Grant but have served in Iraq or Afghanistan there are available Service Grants.
Some colleges offer scholarships or a Dean’s Scholarship, which is merit based on academic performance for $1250 per session. In addition, they have a Nightingale Scholarship that is need-based for students who have demonstrated exceptional need, and that is for $1250. They offer several other scholarships also.
