Florida MSN Programs
Barry University: RN to MSN Program Review
Barry University, 11300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami Shores, Florida 33161-6695
Barry University (founded in 1940) is a private university that is part of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami. The student to faculty ratio is only 14:1 at this University that is culturally diverse and has an international focus. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is offered with three specializations. These are Nursing Executive Leadership Specialization, Nurse Educator Specialization, and Nurse Practitioner Specialization. A MSN Bridge option is also available for applicants who have bachelors degrees in another field. After completing prerequisite courses, these students enter the MSN program without earning a bachelors degree in nursing.
The Division of Nursing’s MSN program with a specialization in Nursing Executive Leadership requires applicants to have a bachelors degree. It provides training in fiscal operations, risk management, human resource development, and other aspects of the business required in healthcare organizations. Admission requirements are a grade point average of at least 3.0 and a current Florida Registered Nurse (RN) license. Prerequisite courses are a nursing research course and statistics. Applicants are also required to submit two recommendation letters and to have a satisfactory score on the English Assessment Test. The GRE or MAT is sometimes required as well, with a minimum GRE score of 900 and a score of at least 400 on the MAT. This program is part-time and takes 2.5 years to complete.
The Nurse Educator Specialization provides training in educational practices as the RN learns curriculum development and other skills necessary to teach student nurses and to develop and facilitate workshops at hospitals and healthcare centers. Applicants must have a bachelors degree in nursing plus a grade point average of 3.0. A current nursing license in the State of Florida is also required, plus two recommendation letters. GRE or MAT entrance exams are required for some students. Nurses complete the program in 2.5 years on a part-time basis.
Barry University’s Division of Nursing also offers a Nurse Practitioner Specialization in either Acute Care or Family Nurse. Acute Care Nurse Practitioner students receive training to work in positions in this advanced practice nursing role as they earn a masters degree in nursing. The program takes three years to complete, including two summers. The Nurse Practitioner, Family Specialization also takes three years and two summers of study to complete. Registered Nurses learn to provide primary care for all family members in this specialty. Admission requirements are the same for Nurse Practitioner students as for the other two specializations at Barry University.
Another program offered at the University is the Master of Science Program in Anesthesiology. This program is offered on a full-time basis consisting of 28 months of continuous study. Students are not able to have outside work during the duration of their studies at Barry. Clinical practice sites are located throughout Florida. Students in the program receive over 3,500 hours of clinical instruction in anesthesiology, and nurses must plan to spend about 60 hours in studies, classes, and in clinical training each week. At the completion of the program, students are eligible to take the national certification exam required for employment in this advanced nursing position.
Registered Nurses may also complete a dual degree at Barry University, which consists of a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with Specialization in Nursing Administration/Master of Business Administration (MBA). This program is designed to provide training in both advanced nursing care and in business and leadership skills. Applicants must apply to both the MBA program and the nursing program. Grade point averages on undergraduate work must be adequate, as well as the applicant’s GRE score. A total of 61 credits must be completed.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University: RN to MSN Program Review
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
334 W. Palmer Avenue
103 Ware Rhaney Building
Tallahassee, Florida 32307
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Florida A & M) is a historically Black University located in Tallahassee, Florida at 334 W. Palmer Avenue, 103 Ware Rhaney Building. It is a member of the State University System of Florida. Established in 1887, it is a land grand university and a member of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. The University offers bachelors, masters, doctoral degrees and two professional degrees. The School of Nursing offers a masters program that leads to a Masters of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree. Two concentrations for Advance Practice Nursing are offered, which are Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner.
Registered Nurses in the MSN program receive training for providing care to adults and the elderly in the Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner program. Through a combination of coursework and clinical experience, nurses are prepared to take the national certification exam at the completion of the program. Nurses who enter the Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner learn to care for the gynecological and obstetrical needs of women of all ages. They also take the national certification exam for their specialty after completing the program.
Admission into the MSN program is high competitive, and admission is not guaranteed even if students meet all admission criteria. Nurses with grade point averages of 2.7 are considered for admission to the program. Three letters of recommendation are required, as well as a passport photo.
Florida Atlantic University: RN to MSN Program Review
Florida Atlantic University
777 Glades Road
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
Florida Atlantic University (FAU), located at 777 Glades Road, Boca Raton, Florida 33431, has six satellite campuses located in Dania Beach, Davie, Fort Lauderdale, Jupiter, Port St. Lucie, and Fort Pierce at the Harbor Branch Oceanogaphic Institution. FAU is a public research university that opened in 1964. The University was ranked as a second-tier university by U.S. News and World Report and as one of the 146 Best Southeastern Colleges in the country by the Princeton Review. The Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with many concentrations, including the following:
Adult Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner
Administrative and Financial Leadership
Clinical Nurse Leader
Nurse Educator
Advanced Holistic Nursing
Individualized Track
Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Track
There is also a Bridge Program offered at the University for the Registered Nurse (RN) with a bachelors degree in another field. Students earn their MSN, but they do not earn a bachelors degree in nursing. After completing the prerequisite courses for the baccalaureate nursing program, the bridge phase consists of bachelors degree level nursing courses. The masters degree courses are taken after this. Applicants who want to be admitted into the Nurse Practitioner tracks are encouraged to complete the Registered Nurse (RN) to Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) dual degree option. The Nurse Practitioner track is very competitive and does not consider students from the Bridge program.
The BS-MS (Dual) Program is designed for the RN to complete both the BSN and MSN in a shorter time than it would usually take to earn these degrees. Both degrees are awarded after the MSN is completed. Applicants must state which of the program tracks they want to pursue. At least 70 credits are required to complete the program. Nurses accepted into the program are not guaranteed admission to Nurse Practitioner Tracks.
The application process for all of the MSN programs requires that a Florida Atlantic University Graduate Application is submitted. The applicant must then submit the College of Nursing Graduate Application. Nurses who want to improve their chance of being admitted to the MSN program may do so by completing community service activities, participating in professional organizations, and by having experience in nursing related to the program they want to enter. Demonstrated leadership in nursing experiences is also desirable. If the nurse’s grade point average is below 3.0, the GRE is required.
Florida Gulf Coast University: RN to MSN Program Review
Florida Gulf Coast University
10501 FGCU Boulevard, South
Fort Myers, Florida 33965-6565
Florida Gulf Coast University (FGCU) is located at 10501 FGCU Boulevard, South, Fort Myers, Florida 33965-6565. It is a public research university that was founded in 1991, and it is part of the State University System of Florida. Associates, bachelors, masters, and doctoral degree programs are offered at FGCU. The School of Nursing at the University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) degree program with concentrations in Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, and Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner.
Admission requirements for all three concentrations are a bachelors degree in nursing and a grade point average of at least 3.0. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) must have been taken within the last five years, and the applicant must have a combined score of 1,000 on verbal and quantitative sections. Prerequisite courses of statistics and health assessment must be completed with at least a grade C. Nurse Anesthesia candidates must also take two chemistry courses. In addition, applicants must have a current nursing license as a Registered Nurse in Florida and at least one year of nursing experience. A current resume including career goals and three reference letters are also required. Applicants must also submit a graduate application and meet the University’s admission requirements.
Nurses who want training as Acute Care Nurse Practitioners with a MSN learn to care for acutely, critically, or chronically ill patients in a variety of healthcare settings. At the completion of the program, they are eligible to take the national certification exam for certification as Acute Care Nurse Practitioners. A total of 58 credits are required for this program. FGCU’s School of Nursing also offers a Nurse Anesthesia MSN program that requires 28 months of full-time study to complete with a total of 81 credits. This is the only university-based nurse anesthesia program leading to a MSN in Southwest Florida. At the completion of the program, graduates take the national certification exam to practice as Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists.
The third MSN major offered at the University is the Primary Healthcare Nurse Practitioner. There are two concentrations available in this program, which are the Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration and Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner Concentration. Graduates of the program may seek national certification as an Adult Nurse Practitioner or as a Family Nurse Practitioner. A total of 58 credits are required to complete this concentration.
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences: RN to MS in Nurse Anesthesia Program Review
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences
671 Winyah Drive
Orlando, Florida 32803-1226
Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences, located at 671 Winyah Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803-1226 offers a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia. The college is affiliated with Florida Hospital, a major medical center that is the largest healthcare location operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Registered Nurse (RN) received training to prepare for an advanced nursing career providing anesthesia during surgery at hospitals and outpatient facilities, in pain management doctors’ offices, or dentists’ offices. There is a great demand for these advanced care nurses in the State of Florida and around the country. Graduates of the program are able to take the national certification test to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist.
Applicants to the program are expected to have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree, or a bachelors degree in a related field. Two years of acute care experience is preferred. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 is expected, and the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). A goal statement is also required along with three letters of recommendation. Personal interviews are by invitation only and must be successfully completed. Admission to this program is very competitive, so only those applicants with the highest qualifications are admitted to the program.
Florida International University: RN to MSN Program
Florida International University
11200 Southwest 8th Street
Miami, Florida 33174
Florida International University (FIU) is located in Miami, Florida at 11200 Southwest 8th Street. This public research university is a top-tier research university that was founded in 1965. It was ranked among the top 16 universities with the toughest grading system. Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine also rated FIU among the best values in public colleges. Over 80 masters programs are offered at the University, including a masters degree in nursing.
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program at the University provides training to the Registered Nurse (RN) that leads to advanced nursing roles in many different specialties. Clinical concentrations in Adult Health Nursing, Child Health Nursing, Family Health Nursing, and Anesthesiology Nursing are available. The tracks Nursing Administration and Psychiatric/Mental Health Nursing in the MSN program are currently suspended, but nurses interested in them may call the University to see if they are currently available. The specialty tracks of Adult Health Nursing, Child health Nursing, and Family Health Nursing can be completed in two years of study consisting of six semesters. The Anesthesiology Nursing track takes over seven semesters of full-time study to complete. Graduates of any of the tracks offered at FIU may take the national certification exams to enable them to seek employment as advanced practice nurses.
Admission requirements for the masters degree program include a bachelors degree in nursing with an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0. Anesthesiology applicants may be accepted with a bachelors degree in a related field, but they must be a RN and have an Associate of Science in Nursing.
Florida Southern College: RN to MSN Program Review
Florida Southern College
111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive
Lakeland, Florida 33801-5698
Florida Southern College (Florida Southern), located at 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland, Florida 33801-5698, was named by The Princeton Review as the most beautiful in the country. This University was established in 1883 and is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. A Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program is offered at Florida Southern. Specialty areas offered are Clinical Nurse Specialist, Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, and Nurse Educator. Classes are conveniently organized to meet the needs of working nurses. Students find that they receive personalized attention due to the 13:1 student-faculty radio.
Admission requirements for the MSN program are having a bachelors degree in nursing with a grade point average of 3.0, and the applicant must be licensed as an RN in Florida. An application to the Graduate School of Florida Southern must be submitted, along with a resume and personal statement of goals. Three professional recommendations are also required.
The Clinical Nurse Specialist concentration of the MSN program provides training to take the certification exam for clinical Specialist in medical-Surgical Nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Thirty-nine credits are required to complete this program. The RN who wants to pursue an advanced nursing career as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner requires that 39 credits are completed before taking the national certification exam as an Adult Health Nurse Practitioner. These professionals provide primary or acute care to adults of all ages. The Nurse Educator program is the third curriculum track available at the University. It requires the completion of 37 credits, and at graduation, the RN may take the Certified Nurse Educator examination.
Florida State University: RN to MSN Program Review
Florida State University
98 Varsity Way, MC 4310
Tallahassee, Florida 32306
Florida State University (FSU) was founded in 1851 and is the oldest continuous site of higher education in Florida. It is one of the state’s main graduate research universities. Located at 98 Varsity Way, MC 4310, Tallahassee, Florida 32306, it is highly ranked by many sources. USA Today rated FSU as the second least-expensive flagship university in the country, and Webometrics Ranking of World Universities rated it as 43rd in the U.S. and Canada and as number 53 in the world. The University offers a masters program in nursing for the Registered Nurse who wants to pursue an advanced nursing career. Many different graduate nursing scholarships are awarded to students at FSU.
The Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program offers a concentration in Nurse Educator and in Nurse Leader. The MSN-Nurse Educator concentration consists of 38 credits that are all offered online. Clinical practice is completed close to the home of the RN when possible. Students receive training in designing and assessing curriculum in academic environments and in clinical sites where they may facilitate and lead staff development. After graduation, students qualify to take the national exam for certification as a Nurse Educator.
The MSN-Nurse Leader program provides training for the Registered Nurse to assume leadership roles in various healthcare facilities. Students focus on clinical leadership, interprofessional care coordination, and other aspects of nurse leadership. The program takes two years of part-time study to complete, including two summer sessions. Graduates qualify to take the national exam for licensure as a Nurse Leader.
Admission requirements include residing in the State of Florida, having a bachelors degree in nursing with a grade point average of 3.0 or better, and having competitive scores on the Graduate Record Examination or the Miller Analogies Test. Applicants must also be licensed as a Registered Nurse in Florida. Two recommendation letters are also required.
Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia: RN to MS in Nurse Anesthesia
Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia
615 North Bonita Avenue
Panama City, Florida 32401
The Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia is located at 615 North Bonita Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32401. It is part of the Bay Medical Center Sacred Heart Health System. The Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia was established in 1969 and is the oldest nurse anesthesia program in Florida. Graduates receive a Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia and qualify to take the national certification exam for licensure as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. The program takes 28 months of full-time study that include 95 credits. Classes at the Gooding Institute are small with one instructor per student in the clinical practicum.
In this program, all anesthesia techniques are taught to students. One advantage of the program is that the clinical practicum begins during the first week of the program so that students can use the didactic information that they are learning in class. Also, the program emphasizes decision-making rather than memorizing how to respond in situations. Students also learn through classroom links to anesthesia Internet.
Admission requirements include a current Registered Nurse (RN) license in one of the states in the U.S., and those admitted to the program must have their Florida RN license before full acceptance into the program. A current driver’s license in one of the 50 states is required, and the applicant must have a bachelors degree in nursing or in a related science, such as biology, chemistry, or physics. A grade point average of at least 3.0 on undergraduate work is required. In addition, the Graduate Record Examination that has been taken within the last five years is required. Preferred scores are 1,000 or better, plus a score of 3.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing. Also, at least one year of clinical experience is required, along with three recommendation letters. Personal interviews are scheduled by the Gooding Institute by invitation only.
Nova Southeastern University: RN to MSN Program Review
Nova Southeastern University
3301 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida 33314-7796
Nova Southeastern University (NSU), located at 3301 College Avenue, Fort Lauderdale-Davie, Florida 3314-7796, is a private research university located in Fort Lauderdale-Davie. It is the seventh largest non-profit private university in the United States. The University has three campuses in Southern Florida. The University was established in 1964. Over 250 majors and 175 programs are offered, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with three unique tracks.
The tracks are education, health systems leadership, and family nurse practitioner. The program is offered online and provides training for the Registered Nurse (RN) with a bachelors degree in any field who has a RN license. The MSN Education track prepares nurses to teach student nurses at the college level, and it provides the basis for the doctoral program for the RN who wants to teach at the bachelors level or higher.
Twenty-four credits are required in addition to the 15 core courses. Three hours of online nursing education practicum that are mentored provide an educational experience for the student. The MSN Health Systems Leadership track is designed for working nurses with bachelors degrees in any field. Thirty-nine credits are required to complete the program. Students receive training for leadership roles after graduation, including a three-hour online program that is mentored by nursing faculty.
The third specialty area in the MSN program at NSU is the Advanced Practice Registered Nurse Program. This program prepares the RN for a career as a Family Nurse Practitioner who will provide primary care for families throughout the lifecycle. The program is a blend of online courses and some that are a mixture of online and campus-based classes.
Admission requirements include having a bachelors degree in nursing or a bachelors degree in another field, and either degree requires a grade point average of at least 3.0. Those admitted to the program that have a bachelors degree in another field must complete a course entitled Transition to Advance Nursing Practice. All applicants must have a current RN license. A writing sample and two reference forms are required, as well as the prerequisite statistics course.
The University of Tampa: RN to MSN Program Review
The University of Tampa
401 W. Kennedy Boulevard
Tampa, Florida 33606-1490
The University of Tampa (UT) is located at 401 W. Kennedy Boulevard, Tampa, Florida 33606-1490. This private University was founded in 1931 and offers masters degree programs in a variety of areas, including nursing. Concentrations of Adult and Family Nurse Practitioner are offered at the University. Both programs prepare the Registered Nurse (RN) for a career as an advanced practice nurse and primary care provider. At the completion of the MSN program, the student must take the national exam for certification as an Adult or Family Nurse Practitioner.
Admission to the MSN program is competitive, and students are required to have a bachelors degree with a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or higher in the last 60 hours of coursework. It is preferred that applicants have one year’s recent experience as a RN, and prerequisite courses of statistics, Principles of Community Health, and health assessment must be completed before admission. Students in the program must maintain a 3.0 grade point average to continue in the program. At the completion of the program, students must take an Oral comprehensive Examination. Also, a Florida RN license is required and satisfactory scores on the GRE are required as well. In addition, the University requires three reference letters, a resume, and a personal interview may be required.
University of Central Florida: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Central Florida
4000 Central Florida Boulevard
Orlando, Florida 32816
The University of Central Florida (UCF) is a research university located at 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32816. It is the second largest university in the country according to enrollment with almost 57,000 students enrolled at the University’s 12 satellite campuses. U.S. News and World Report named UCF as the fourth best up-and-coming national university. Over 210 degree options are offered at the University, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN). This graduate degree in nursing program is offered online.
The MSN program has two concentrations for the Registered Nurse (RN) who wants a career in advanced nursing in the areas of Nurse Educator or Leadership & Management. The GRE is not required for admission to the MSN program, but applicants must be Registered Nurses. Applicants are encouraged to contact the College of nursing Graduate Office to speak with a MSN adviser to discuss their personal career goals before applying to the University. This makes writing the goal essay easier to do, and it also saves time for the RN who may have a different professional goal that is not met by the programs at UCF. Admission is competitive and it is based on recommendations, past academic and professional performance, and on the applicant’s career goals.
The Nurse Educator track prepares the RN to teach in nursing programs, or in health care agencies. Some Nurse Educators with this MSN degree also teach wellness and how to handle illness in the community. Students complete an internship in the community where they live under a faculty mentor. The Nurse Leadership and management track provides training for leadership or administration roles in healthcare agencies. The advantage to this program at UCF is that students can tailor their electives and practica to their career goals.
University of Florida: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Florida
Gainesville, Florida 32611
The University of Florida (UF) was founded in 1853. It is located in Gainesville. UF is consistently rated in the top 100 universities worldwide, and U.S. News and World Report was rated as 19th of all public national universities in the U.S. Many undergraduate and graduate programs are offered at the University, including 123 masters degree programs and 67 doctoral degree programs in 87 schools and departments. The University offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) with a concentration in Clinical Nurse Leader. The other advanced practice tracks that were once available as part of the masters program are now available in the doctoral nursing program.
The College of Nursing at UF offers the clinical Nurse Leader track as an online option with limited travel to the University campus required. It is important to note that the only out-of-state applicants considered for the program are those who work at Veterans’ Administration (VA) hospitals. Clinical residency must be completed in a VA hospital. Nurses who live in Florida must complete their clinical residency at either a VA hospital or in one of the University of Florida’s practice partner healthcare facilities. The program is offered on a part-time basis and may be completed in two years.
To be considered for admission, Registered Nurses must have a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree with a grade point average of at least 3.0 in upper division courses. The applicant must be eligible for licensure as a RN and must take the GRE. A score of 500 or better on each of the verbal and quantitative sections is required. Nurses who do not meet all of the requirements may request special review by the college of Nursing Admissions Committee.
University of Miami: RN to MSN Program Review
University of Miami
P.O. Box 248153
Coral Gables, Florida 33124
The University of Miami (UM) is located in Coral Gables. It was established in 1925 and has 12 separate colleges with 115 undergraduate, 114 masters, 51 doctoral, and two professional programs offered. The School of Nursing and Health Studies offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with concentrations in the following areas:
Nurse Anesthesia
Acute Care/Adult Nurse Practitioner
Family Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Midwifery
Nurse Education
UM graduate nursing students may have opportunities for global studies in Chile, Haiti, Mexico, Spain, and other areas of the world. Graduate scholarships and financial aid are also available for MSN students in some cases. The School of Nursing and Health Studies offers tuition scholarships which are awarded on a competitive basis. They are designed for the full-time graduate nursing student who is not employed full-time. Cash awards are paid monthly and require the service of research assistance, teaching, other activities.
Admission requirements to the MSN Nurse Anesthesia program are a bachelors degree, GRE scores, and at least one year of critical care experience. An undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 or better is required, and if accepted into the program, students must maintain at least a 3.0 average. Any student earning a C in a class is dismissed from the program. All of the MSN concentrations also require three reference letters plus a statement of professional goals and a current resume. Applicants must have a license as a Registered Nurse, and they must be licensed in Florida when beginning the program.
University of North Florida: RN to MSN Program Review
University of North Florida
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, Florida 32224
The University of North Florida (UNF), located at 1 UNF Drive, Jacksonville, Florida 32224 is a public university that was founded in 1969. The University is a member of the State University System of Florida. The University of Florida’s Brooks College of Health offers a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program with four tracks that lead to advanced nursing roles. These are Primary Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, and RN-MSN Bridge programs.
The Master of Science in Nursing, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner program provides training for nurses to learn methods of providing primary care for all family members. Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Family Nurse Practitioner certification examinations, and they will be eligible for licensure as Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners. This program is offered on a full-time basis that takes five semesters to complete. A thesis, project, or elective may be chosen to complete the program. The part-time program takes eight semesters to complete. The Clinical Nurse Specialist program is for the Registered Nurse (RN) looking for the training needed for teaching in nursing and health profession programs. It is also offered on a full-time or part-time basis.
Application requirements include the application and official college transcripts and GRE or GMAT test scores. Applicants must be licensed Registered Nurses with a bachelors degree in nursing. A two-page resume explaining the past two years of experience that the applicant has had as a RN is required, plus a personal statement that includes academic and professional goals. A copy of the nurse’s license is also required.
UNF also offers a Master of Science in Nursing, Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA). Nurses who complete this program and pass the national certification exam may work as advanced care nurses. They provide anesthesia for more than half of that given in the U.S. The curriculum for this program consists of seven semesters of continuous full-time graduate study and requires about 60 hours of work each week.
Registered Nurses interested in completing their Master of Science in Nursing degree and specializing in one of the advanced nursing tracks offered at UNF may want to apply to the MSN Registered Nurse (RN) to Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) Bridge program at the University. Applicants to this program must meet the University’s requirements for admission to graduate studies, as well as the admission requirements for the RN-BSN track. These include active RN licensing in Florida and either 60 credits of coursework or an Associate of Arts degree from a Florida public institution. A grade point average of 2.90 in coursework is required. In addition, applicants must complete the prerequisite courses for the bachelors degree in nursing with no grade lower than C.
To continue on to the MSN program, the nurse must have a grade point average of at least 3.20 in coursework taken for the bachelors-level nursing courses, and the student must complete the university foreign language requirement. The GRE test is also required with a combined verbal and quantitative score of 1,000 or higher. Two years of work experience as an RN are also required, as well as a written statement of academic and professional goals and academic and clinical references.
University of South Florida: RN to MSN Program Review
University of South Florida
12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard
MDC Box 22
Tampa, Florida 33612
The University of South Florida (USF) is a flagship university and member of the State University System of Florida. It was established in 1956 and is the eighth largest university in the country and the third largest in the state. U.S. News and World Report named 20 of the graduate programs offered at USF in the top 100 of graduate schools in the country. The University is located at 12901 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, MDC Box 22, Tampa, Florida 33612.
The Registered Nurse (RN) with a bachelors degree in nursing may apply to the Master’s for Registered Nurses with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing program. There are many concentrations offered at the University, including the following:
Family Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
Clinical Nurse Leader
Dual Oncology/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse practitioner
Nursing Education and Dual Occupational Health/Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Anesthesia
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Admission to the MSN program at USF is competitive, and the applicant must have a Bachelor of Science with a major in Nursing, a grade point average of at least 3.0 on all upper-level coursework while working on this degree, a current RN license in Florida. Applicants must submit a USF graduate admission application and also a College of Nursing application. A resume, three recommendation forms, official transcripts, and a personal statement must be included. Some of the masters nursing programs require additional requirements, such as additional prerequisite courses for the Nurse Anesthesia program.
Wolford College: RN to MS Program
Wolford College
1336 Creekside Boulevard, Suite 2
Naples, Florida 34108
Wolford College, located at 1336 Creekside Boulevard, Suite 2, Naples, Florida 34108 was established in 2004. It is a private college that offers a program leading to a Masters Degree in Nurse Anesthesia. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification test that is required to practice as a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist. Students who prefer to study at a small college rather than a very large university will find that Wolford College offers this environment.
The Masters of Science Nurse Anesthesia requires 28 months of intensive full-time study. The first stage is didactic and takes 12 months to complete. The second stage is the clinical stage lasts for 16 months. Clinical practice takes place in Naples, Tampa, and Davenport, Florida. Admission requirements include completing the prerequisite courses of undergraduate health assessment, statistics, two anatomy and physiology courses, and two chemistry courses. Applicants must take the Graduate Record Exam and have required scores. They must also be licensed as a Registered Nurse in Florida. Three recommendations are required as well as a current resume and Statement of Purpose essay. Applicants must also forward a copy of their driver’s license from one of the 50 states with their application.
A variety of financial aid options are available for the nurse interested in attending Wolford College, including federal financial aid and scholarships from hospitals, anesthesia groups, and external agencies.
