Nursing Schools in Orlando

Orlando is a well-known city in central Florida that is home to some of the biggest tourist attractions in the U.S., such as Universal Studios, the Disney World complex and SeaWorld. Orlando has a population of 249,562, with 117,691 students enrolled in college. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2013), Orlando has 18,550 employed Registered Nurses, earning a mean annual salary of $61,780. The many activities, attractions and sunny weather make Orlando a great location, especially for nurses, who enjoy diverse job opportunities in the area.

Featured Programs:

Orlando Nursing Schools

There are several good universities and colleges with nursing programs in Orlando. The largest nursing school is located at the University of Central Florida. Their online programs are ranked among the 25 best in the U.S., according to U.S. News.

The following nursing programs are offered at UCF:

BSN – approved by the Florida Board of Nursing
RN to BSN Bridge Program
MSN (NeD, NLM, NP, NS)
DNP (Post-B.S.N., Post-M.S.N., Executive)
PhD
Graduate Certificates (NeD, NP, CNS)

The Masters of Science in Nursing program offers four different focus tracks: Nursing Education; Nursing Leadership & Management; a Nurse Practitioner program in either the Family or Adult/Gerontology population; and Clinical Nurse Specialist degree with an Adult/Gerontology focus. The diversity of programs in the area is great news for you if you are looking to expand your nursing practice.

In addition to the rich program options mentioned above, there are several other nursing programs in Orlando administered by the following area schools.

Western Governors University
Valencia Community College
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
Florida Technical College
Remake College of Nursing Orlando
Herzing University

Orlando Nursing School Curriculum, Costs & Financial Aid

Nursing program curriculum in Florida is laid out according accreditation standards set forth by regulatory agencies and the Florida Board of Nursing. Prerequisite courses for entry level nursing programs typically includes psychology, human anatomy and physiology, human nutrition, statistics and human growth and development, along with the sciences, such as chemistry, biology and microbiology.

The nursing courses that make up the last two years of study for a typical BSN program include:

Dimensions of Professional Nursing Practice
Health Assessment
Pathophysiology for Nursing Practice
Nursing Research
Community Health Nursing
Health Care Issues, Policy and Economics
Nursing Leadership, Management and Role Transition
Public Health Nursing
Essentials of Nursing Practice, which includes clinical and lab
Nursing Care of Families, including Clinical

Tuition varies between different universities and colleges, but you will find a general range below. The figures are taken directly from the educational institutions’ websites (2014). Some examples of nursing program tuition in Orlando include:

The tuition for the University of Central Florida for Florida residents is $105.07 per credit hour, but with the additional fees the tuition is $210.57.
Western Governors University’s Basic tuition is $3,250 per six month term for a BSN or MSN. There is also a one-time $350 Consolidated Nursing Program Fee.
Valencia College’s tuition for an associate degree is $99.06 per credit hour, and the baccalaureate fees are $113.64 per credit hour.

Each university and college should have a financial office to help students with school funding, including grants and scholarships. As a nursing student, we recommend that you complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid FAFSA to determine if you may qualify for state or federal grants. Federal grants, unlike traditional loans, do not have to be repaid.

There are also scholarship opportunities for Orlando students, which may be a great way to help pay for nursing school. Western Governors University offers Nurses Lead the Way Scholarship. There are five $500 scholarships awarded to students who display a readiness for online study, a good academic record and current competency.

The Florida Nurses Association gives a number of scholarships and research grants to nursing students. The qualifications to receive a scholarship vary, as some are need based and others are merit based.

The Florida Student Assistance Grant program (FSAG) is an assistance based grant for undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need. The student must be a Florida resident, a U.S. citizen and enrolled in at least part-time study. The Florida Resident Access Grant (FRAG) provides additional assistance, up to 40 percent per academic year, but the student must meet the requirements set forth.

Whether you are an experienced nurse looking to bolster your practice by expanding your knowledge, or if you are a new nursing student, nursing colleges in Florida have some excellent educational opportunities. To find the schools and programs that are specific to your needs, simply follow the links below and request information from those schools that interest you. If you have any additional questions about nursing programs in Orlando, feel free to contact us with your questions at [email protected].

Nursing Career Options in Orlando

The availability of satisfying job opportunities is one of the most important considerations to make when selecting a career and residence. Many healthcare facilities offer good positions for nurses in the Orlando area, including many hospitals. A good way to determine which hospital you may want to work in is to find out which medical centers are Magnet approved.

The Magnet Recognition Program (ANCC) is the most prestigious distinction given to hospitals that demonstrate superior nursing practices and outcomes. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is a subsidiary of the American Nurses Association (ANA), and its purpose is to promote excellence in nursing and healthcare globally through its credentialing programs.

Two of Orlando’s hospitals that have been recognized with the Magnet Award include:

Arnold Palmer Medical Center
Walt Disney Pavilion at Florida Hospitals for Children

Another large healthcare facility includes Orlando Regional Medical Center, which is ranked nationally as number one in pediatric specialty, plus it is high-performing in adult specialties as well.

Orlando Hospitals

Nursing Salaries in Orlando

According to the BLS (2016), Orlando’s LPN/LVNs earn an average annual salary of $41,110, or $20 hourly. The bulk of the LPNs in the Orlando metro are employed by skilled nursing facilities, home health care, physician offices and general medical and surgical hospitals.

The average annual wage for a Registered Nurse in Orlando is $62,980, according to the BLS (2016). A large number of Registered Nurses in the Orlando metro are employed by general medical and surgical hospitals, physician offices and home healthcare agencies. Orlando is also an area that may offer opportunities in private duty and geriatric care management, especially for those nurses who are prepared at or beyond the Baccalaureate level.

Advanced Practice RNs in Orlando are in need as well, so if you are looking for a graduate or doctoral level degree program, rest assured you will likely be able to complete your schooling and enter the APRN job market without undue hesitation. After obtaining an advanced degree, an Orlando Nurse Practitioner’s (NP) mean annual salary is $97,150, with 720 NPs employed in the Orlando area as of 2016 (BLS). Nurse Anesthetist’s average annual income in Orlando is $130,510 (BLS, 2015). As an APRN in Orlando, you can likely find employment in a variety of settings, but, again, the most common positions are often in the offices of physicians and general medical and surgical hospitals.

Professional Nursing Supports in Orlando

The Florida Action Coalition is working with the Institute of Medicine to transform healthcare through nursing in Florida. They are the proud recipient of a SIP Grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, which will be used to support research and implementation of the Leadership Action Team.

There are several other active nursing associations located in Orlando including:

Florida Nurses Association
American Association of Legal Nurse Consultants
Central Florida Black Nurse Association of Orlando
Student Nurses Association
Home Health/Visiting Nurse Association