ADN to MSN Programs in Florida 2026

<p>South University of Florida offers a unique MSN degree program with a Family Nurse Practitioner concentration that allows students with an associates degree in nursing to earn a bachelor's degree (BSN) and a master's degree (MSN) simultaneously. Because the course emphasizes both clinical and leadership skills, students can go on to become family practice advanced nurse practitioners (APNP - FNP), take up nursing leadership positions, move into nursing education fields, or continue on to an advanced degree and continue their research in nursing medicine. </p> <h3 id="section---JacksonvilleUniversity">Jacksonville University</h3> <p>Jacksonville University offers three specializations in their online ADN to MSN degrees: Clinical Nurse Educator Specialization, Leadership in Healthcare Systems Specialization, and Informatics Specialization. Graduates of their full-time or part-time programs receive both a BSN and MSN simultaneously by taking courses in evidence-based nursing, nursing leadership and healthcare policy, nursing assessment, nursing leadership, technology for improved healthcare, and nursing theory and research. </p> <h3 id="section---UniversityOfCentralFlorida">University of Central Florida</h3> <p>At the University of Central Florida students can choose between three tracks for their online MSN degree: Nursing Leadership and Management, Nurse Educator, and Nursing and Healthcare Simulation. Students who have an ADN but not BSN in nursing can still apply to the program, they must complete a few prerequisite courses before taking MSN classes. Graduates can find work as chief nursing executives, nurse educators, nurse managers, nurse simulation experts, health care administrators and director of nursing. </p> <h3 id="section---NovaSouthEasternUniversity">Nova SouthEastern University</h3> <p>If you have an RN license (through an ADN degree) and a bachelor's degree in a field outside of nursing, you are eligible for Nova SouthEastern's three MSN tracks: Executive Nurse Leadership, Nursing Education, or Nurse Informatics. Students can choose to add on a graduate certificate to become an advanced practice nursing practitioner (APRN) in adult gerontology acute practitioner (AG - APRN), family nursing (FNP), or psychiatric mental health (PMHP) by completing additional coursework and a practicums in real-world clinical settings. </p> <h3 id="section---UniversityOfTampa">University of Tampa</h3> <p>While the University of Tampa's MSN degrees in Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP) and Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) programs are designed for graduates of a BSN degree, there is a pre-MSN admission exception for ADN graduates with a valid RN license. Their programs are designed to prepare students for the APRN certification but are part-time and flexible enough to complete while working full-time nursing jobs. </p> <h3 id="section---UniversityOfSouthFlorida">University of South Florida</h3> <p>If you are seeking a university with a variety of specialization tracks, the University of Southern Florida may be the right spot for you with tracks in Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing, Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nursing, Family Health Nursing, Nursing Education Occupational Health/Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nursing, and Pediatric Health Nursing. USF is also flexible, allowing students with an RN license and bachelor's degree in a field outside of nursing to complete prerequisite courses and continue on to the MSN program without a BSN degree. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><th> University </th><th> Programs &amp; Specializations Offered </th><th> *Average Tuition Per Year (2018-2019)</th></tr> <tr><td> South University </td><td>Master of Science in Nursing<br />*Family Nurse Practitioner</td><td>$16,620</td></tr> <tr><td> Jacksonville University </td><td>Master of Science in Nursing<br />*Clinical Nurse Educator, <br />*Leadership in Healthcare Systems, <br />*Nursing Informatics </td><td>$14,274</td></tr> <tr><td> University of Central Florida </td><td> Master of Science in Nursing<br />*Nursing and Leadership Management, <br />*Nurse Educator, <br />*Nursing and Healthcare Simulation</td><td>In-state: $6,196<br />Out-of-state:$25,759</td></tr> <tr><td>Nova Southeastern University</td><td> Master of Science in Nursing<br />*Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner, <br />*Family Nurse Practitioner, <br />*Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner</td><td>$19,131</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Tampa</td><td>Master of Science in Nursing<br />*Adult/Gerontology Nurse Practitioner<br /> *Family Nurse Practitioner</td><td>$11,142</td></tr> <tr><td>University of Southern Florida</td><td>Master of Science in Nursing<br />*Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nursing, <br />*Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nursing, <br />*Family Health Nursing, <br />*Nursing Education, <br />*Occupational Health/Adult Gerontology Primary Care,<br /> *Concurrent MPH/MS Degree Occupational Health, <br />*Pediatric Health Nursing</td><td>In-state: $8,350<br />Out-of-state: $19,048</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *NCES</i> </p> <h3 id="section---GettingIntoAnRNToMSNProgramInFlorida">Getting Into an RN to MSN Program in Florida</h3> <p>Most Master of Science Nursing programs require applicants to hold a bachelor's degree in nursing. However, the programs discussed in this article provide opportunities for nurses with a valid RN license who became nurses through an associates degree in nursing program, to apply. Applicants must have a valid unencumbered registered nurse license, college transcripts (often with a GPA over 3.0), and letters of recommendation from supervisors and professors. Many programs also require students to submit a personal essay explaining their career goals and why they would be a good fit for these competitive programs. </p> <p>Universities in the state of Florida have lots to offer ambitious registered nurses who want to earn a Master of Nursing Science degree. Even if you do not hold a BSN degree, registered nurses with a ADN degree can qualify for a variety of competitive MSN programs.</p>