Best 2-Year Nursing Programs in Florida (ASN & ADN Online)

Nurses are essential to the American healthcare system. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reports that there are 4.7 million registered nurses (RNs) employed across the U.S., making this one of the largest sectors of the national workforce.

If you are interested in becoming an RN, you may be curious about 2-year nursing programs. This article reviews various options for earning your 2-year nursing degree online or in-person in Florida; we also answer questions about nursing programs related to cost, timeline, and level of difficulty.

Keep reading to learn more about how to start your nursing career in this vital industry.

What Is a 2-Year Nursing Program?

A 2-year nursing program is an associate degree program that typically ranges between 60 and 75 credits in total. These degree programs have different names, depending on the school and state. Degree titles include Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN), Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), or Associate of Applied Science in Nursing (AASN).

These degree programs provide nursing students with the knowledge and practical skills to work as entry-level RNs. After graduating, students are eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

Associate of Science in Nursing

ASN degree programs are some of the most common programs you will see when researching easy nursing schools to get into. Program curricula consist of general education and nursing theory coursework, lab skills practices, and clinical experiences.

Nursing students learn the fundamentals of patient care, pharmacology, anatomy and physiology, and more. Clinical experiences take place in healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care centers, urgent care centers, and schools.

Associate Degree in Nursing

ADN degrees follow the same 2-year program structure as ASN degree programs. Students complete required coursework for nurses and gain hands-on experience in lab settings and clinical rotations.

Schools and states determine the different associate degree titles. Some technical schools and hospitals with nursing diploma programs may place a greater clinical emphasis in their curriculum and refer to their degrees as ASN degrees.

Are There Online 2-Year Nursing Degrees in Florida?

Yes, there are online 2-year nursing degree programs. However, no nursing program is 100% online, as in-person learning components (e.g., clinical rotations) are essential to a quality healthcare education.

An online ADN program (or an online ASN program) has a combination of remote coursework and in-person clinical experiences. Some hybrid programs conduct more advanced nursing courses in person as well.

Best 2-Year ASN and ADN Programs in Florida

These schools represent some of Florida's best nursing schools online and in-person.

You may want to advance your nursing practice after earning your associate degree. Many of these schools also offer bachelor's degree programs, where you can earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN).

1. Florida State College of Jacksonville

Located in its namesake city, Florida State College of Jacksonville (FSCJ) has a 72-credit, in-person ASN program. The curriculum consists of general education and professional nursing courses, lab practices, and experiences in local clinical settings. Full-time nursing students can complete this degree program in two years.

Graduates of FSCJ's ASN program boast an average NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate of 92%.

• Estimated tuition cost: $105 per credit hour (in-state)/$402 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN)

2. Valencia College

Valencia College is a large public school in Orlando, FL, with both ASN program and BSN program options. Valencia College offers its ASN degree as a hybrid of online and on-campus courses, in addition to the in-person clinical components. Full-time students earn their associate degree in four semesters.

Valencia College encourages students to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine their financial aid eligibility.

• Estimated tuition cost: $113 per credit hour (in-state)/$428 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

3. Florida SouthWestern State College

Based in Fort Myers, FL, Florida SouthWestern State College offers its in-person ASN degree program on three sites: its Collier, Lee, and Charlotte campuses. The program curriculum incorporates lectures, lab skills, simulation practices, and clinical experiences. Clinical settings include acute care institutions, long-term care facilities, and community agencies.

Nursing students may choose between two schedule options, daytime or evening/weekend. Both schedule options are available on all three campuses.

• Estimated tuition cost: $114 per credit hour (in-state)/$433 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

4. St. Petersburg College

St. Petersburg College offers a hybrid ASN program that blends online instruction and simulation practices with hands-on clinical experiences. Clinical rotations can be scheduled during the mornings, afternoons, or evenings to better accommodate students' schedules. The degree program takes two years to complete.

St. Petersburg College ASN program graduates boast a 94% average for first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates.

• Estimated tuition cost: $122 per credit hour (in-state)/$425 per credit hour (out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

5. South Florida College of Nursing

South Florida College of Nursing (SFCN) has a 72-credit, in-person ASN program that can be completed in two years. The curriculum is divided into six semesters and incorporates general education, nursing theory, evaluations, and clinical rotations. Each semester is 16 weeks long.

SFCN accepts transfer credits, which can be applied to the program's general education requirements (like English, microbiology, and growth and development lifespan).

• Estimated tuition cost: $400 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

6. Rasmussen University

Rasmussen University has numerous locations across the U.S., including five campuses in Florida. Nursing students can enroll in Rasmussen University's online ASN program, which features online coursework and in-person clinical experiences.

The program consists of 25 courses and can be completed in as few as 21 months. Core courses include behavioral and mental health nursing, nursing care of the older adult, and leadership and professional identity.

• Estimated tuition cost: $453 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

7. International College of Health Sciences

Located in Boynton Beach, FL, the International College of Health Sciences offers a hybrid ASN program. The program combines asynchronous and live online learning courses, in-person lab simulations, and hands-on clinical rotations. Students can enroll on a full-time or part-time basis.

The International College of Health Science accepts transfer credits for the ASN degree. Students receive support through dedicated advisors and clinical schedulers.

• Estimated tuition cost: $600 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

8. Herzing University

Herzing University offers a 72-credit online ASN program that can be completed in two years. All lecture courses are conducted asynchronously online; the program includes peer collaboration components that are also conducted online but must be scheduled synchronously with other students. Students gain hands-on experience at clinical settings in their local communities.

Herzing University has financial aid opportunities to help offset tuition costs. These include grants, scholarships (e.g., the Nurses Circle of Achievement Scholarship), and military member discounts.

• Estimated tuition cost: $925 per credit hour (in-state and out-of-state)
• Accreditation: ACEN

How We Rank Schools

We use the following factors to rank our featured colleges and universities:

• Accreditation: All schools must be accredited and offer programs accredited by the ACEN or the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The programs must also be approved by the Florida Board of Nursing.
• Program length: Students must be able to complete these programs in two years or fewer, on a full-time basis.
• Program reputation: We consider quality curricula, experienced faculty, clinical rotation opportunities, and NCLEX-RN pass rates when evaluating a program's reputation.

FAQs About 2-Year Nursing Programs in Florida

We answer some frequently asked questions about 2-year nursing programs in Florida, from the fastest degree programs to nursing school prerequisites.

What Is the Fastest Way To Become a Nurse in Florida?

If you don't have prior experience, the fastest way to become a nurse in Florida is to enroll in an associate degree program. ASN and ADN degrees offer the quickest pathways to becoming a registered nurse. Transfer credits that fulfill general education requirements can help speed up your degree process.

What Is the Shortest RN Program in Florida?

ADN or ASN degree programs are the shortest RN programs in Florida. All ACEN and CCNE-accredited schools must adhere to certain curriculum requirements, ensuring that nursing students receive a quality education. Schools cannot condense this curriculum process beyond a certain point.

If you are already a licensed practical nurse (LPN), you can enroll in an ADN to RN bridge program. This type of program allows you to leverage previous education and experience to move directly into advanced nursing courses and typically takes one year to complete.

What Is the Easiest Nursing School in Florida?

Nursing is an intensive profession, and nursing schools are correspondingly challenging. The easiest nursing school is one that offers a program that fits your personal schedule while serving your professional goals. Online ASN and ADN programs provide flexibility and often feature one-on-one faculty advising and online support resources, in addition to on-campus services.

How Much Does a 2-Year Nursing Program Cost?

The cost of 2-year nursing programs in Florida can range between $7,500 to more than $67,000 in total tuition. Tuition does not include the cost of application, uniform, equipment, and other fees.

Technical colleges and community colleges generally offer the lowest nursing school tuition rates. Being an in-state resident helps keep your education costs low, as does applying for FAFSA and receiving any applicable financial aid.

What Are the Prerequisites for a 2-Year Nursing Program?

Prerequisites for associate degree nursing programs can include a high school diploma or General Educational Development (GED) certificate, general education courses (e.g., chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology), and standardized test scores like those from the Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS). Every school has its own particular admission requirements, so be sure to reference your school's program website before the application deadline.

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