Between 2009 and 2010, the number of MSN-prepared graduates in Florida increased by 28.7 percent. Despite this increase, Florida needs more qualified MSN students. The state has worked hard to increase access to MSN education by increasing the number of graduate programs and nurse faculty; now, the state needs interested RNs to step up and advance their education.
Currently, almost 7 percent of the state's nurses have a master's degree or higher. While that number has increased in recent years, it still falls short of the 2010 Institute of Medicine recommendation set forth in The Future of Nursing, which states that at least 10 percent of all BSN grads should enroll in a master's or doctoral program within five years of graduation.
Like many other states, Florida anticipates a high demand for primary care providers, including nurse practitioners. Geriatric nurse practitioners may do exceptionally well in Florida, as the state has long been a retirement haven.
Florida's master's-prepared nurses are officially licensed as advanced registered nurse practitioners (ARNPs). Nurse practitioners (NPs), certified nurse midwives (CNMs), and certified registered nurse anesthetists (CRNAS) are all considered ARNPs.
MSN programs for Florida nurses include:
- Florida Atlantic University. Florida Atlantic University offers a variety of MSN programs, including a master's degree in Advanced Holistic Nursing. The school also offers MSN programs in Administrative and Financial Leadership, Clinical Nurse Leadership and Nurse Education. Nurse practitioner programs are available as well.
- Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences. Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences gives BSN-prepared nurses the opportunity to pursue an in-demand career as a nurse anesthetist. The school has a nurse anesthesia program for baccalaureate-prepared nurses who have at least some critical care experience.
Below is a list of all the accredited schools with campus locations in Florida that offer MSN programs.
 Chamberlain College of Nursing
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 University of Phoenix
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Barry University (Miami Shores, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Anesthesiology, MSN/MBA, Nurse Administrator, Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (Tallahassee, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult/Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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Florida Atlantic University (Boca Raton, FL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Administrative and Financial Leadership, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Advanced Holistic Nursing, Clinical Nurse Leader, Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Florida Gulf Coast University (Fort Myers, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator, Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Florida Hospital College of Health Sciences (Orlando, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
Accreditation: AANA/CANAEP accredited
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Florida International University (Miami, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Anesthesiology Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Administration, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited, NLNAC accredited
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Florida Southern College (Lakeland, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Florida State University (Tallahassee, FL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Gooding Institute of Nurse Anesthesia (Panama City, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia
Accreditation: AANA/CANAEP accredited
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Jacksonville University (Jacksonville, FL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Family Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner/Emergency Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Administration, Master of Science in Nursing - Nursing Education, MSN/MBA
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Nova Southeastern University (Fort Lauderdale, FL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Education, Health Systems Leadership, Public/Community Health Nursing
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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South University (Tampa, FL / West Palm Beach, FL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Accelerated RN-MSN, Accelerated RN-MSN - Nurse Educator, Adult Health Nurse Practitioner, Master of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing - Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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The University of Tampa (Tampa, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: NLNAC accredited
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University of Central Florida (Orlando, FL)
ONLINE MSN PROGRAMS
Matching Program Tracks: Adult Nurse Practitioner, Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Family Nurse Practitioner, Leadership & Management, Nurse Educator, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Florida (Gainesville, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Midwifery, Psychiatric-Mental Health CNS/NP
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of Miami (Coral Gables, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Nurse Practitioner, Family Nurse Practitioner, Nurse Anesthesia, Nurse Educator
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of North Florida (Jacksonville, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Clinical Nurse Leader, Clinical Nurse Specialist, Nurse Anesthetist, Primary Care Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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University of South Florida (Tampa, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, Adult Nurse Practitioner, Certified Nurse Anesthesia Program, Clinical Nurse Leader (CNL), Family Nurse Practitioner, Gerontological Nurse Practitioner, Nursing Education, Occupational Health Nursing dual degree with the College of Public Health (MS/MPH), Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Accreditation: CCNE accredited
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Wolford College (Naples, FL)
Matching Program Tracks: Master of Science
Accreditation: AANA/CANAEP accredited
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