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Nursing Schools in Florida: What They Have to Offer
Are you a Florida resident or a student who would like to study in Florida? Are you interested in pursuing a career in which you can help people on a daily basis and truly impact their lives in a positive way? If so, you may want to consider one of the many career options in the nursing field. Florida is a wonderful place in which to earn a nursing degree or certificate, and the nursing schools in Florida offer you a wide range of options and specialties to match your particular interests. In this article we will explain why Florida is such an ideal place both to earn a nursing degree and pursue the career that follows, and we will also outline some of the degree and certificate programs that are available in most of Florida’s nursing schools and universities.
About Florida Nursing
Florida is one of the most heavily populated and diverse states in America, with some very unique issues and challenges in terms of health care. Not only does Florida have an unusually large percentage of senior citizens—older Americans who choose to retire in Florida to avoid the harsh winters in the Midwest and Northeast---the state also has one of the largest immigrant populations—18% of the population, according to the latest Census.
Due to the uniqueness of Florida’s population, the state is consistently in need of qualified nurses with a wide range of specialties and skills. For example, bilingual nurses are in very high demand, especially Spanish speaking nurses to help serve Florida residents who are non-native speakers, as are those nurses with a desire to work in senior living homes and facilities delivering services and care to some of Florida’s aging population. Because of these unique needs, Florida is currently experiencing a nursing shortage and that shortage is only expected to worsen as the economy continues to improve. The nursing shortage in Florida has also prompted several schools and universities to offer incentive programs and additional financial aid to help create more interest in their nursing programs.
In 2010, the average starting wage in the nursing field was well over $27 an hour, and as the demand for qualified individuals continues to grow, so too will the average starting wage for nurses who can fill a variety of roles. Currently nurses are needed to fill positions in some of the state’s best hospitals, clinics and elder care facilities.
Nursing Schools in Florida: What Do They Offer?
If you’re considering pursuing a degree in one of the many nursing schools in Florida, there are several options to choose from. Florida currently offers a number of 2-year and 4-year degree tracks as well as many certificate and advanced degree programs for nurses who are currently working in the field and looking to advance their career. Some of these programs include:
- Associates Degree in Nursing
- Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing
- Joint Masters of Nursing and Masters of Business Administration Degrees
- Hepatology degrees
- Home Health Certificates
- Hospice Certificate
- Infectious Disease Certificate
- Nurse Anesthesia degrees
- Nurse Educator
- Nurse Practitioner
Besides the volume of career opportunities and the quality of education at nursing schools in Florida, the state is also a fantastic place to live, boasting mild winters and plenty to do and see when you’re not working or going to school. Collectively, these reasons make Florida the place to be if you truly want to pursue a degree in this continually growing field.