You know how important it is to stay on top of the latest trends in patient care, but as a busy nurse, it can be hard to squeeze anything else into your schedule. If you’re thought about taking your education to the next level, but aren’t sure how to make it work, you might want to think about working toward your doctor of nursing practice degree with one of the many online and hybrid programs offered in Florida.
A DNP is a degree that focuses on providing patients with excellent, evidence-based care to improve their outcomes. Nurses who earn their DNP are leaders in their field who can also be successful working in healthcare administration. Nurses have an excellent advantage when it comes to working in the administration of a hospital. The combination of understanding the ins and outs of healthcare policy and the experience of working directly with patients is invaluable when it comes to making healthcare decisions.
A DNP degree is different from a Ph.D. in nursing. While both degrees are doctorates, a DNP degree focuses on practice, while a Ph.D. focuses on research. Most nurses who earn their DNP continue working in healthcare, while many nurses who earn their Ph.D. work in nursing education or nursing research.
SEE ALSO: Florida DNP Salary
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular doctor of nursing practice programs offered in Florida.
1. Barry University
Barry University offers a practice-focused, research-based DNP program designed for working nurses who want to further their education. One of the cornerstones of the DNP program at Barry University that graduates will have the ability to confidently carry out leadership roles within their organization.
- Campus: Miami Shores, Florida
- Type: Private
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $1,150 per credit
- Minimum time commitment: Two years
- Online availability: No
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have a BSN or MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0, an RN license, a nursing portfolio, three letters of recommendation, and satisfactory completion of a statistics course within five years of the start of the program.
- Programs: Students have the option of specialization in nurse anesthesiology.
- School Site: Barry University – Earn Your Doctorate In Nursing Practice
2. Florida Atlantic University
At Florida Atlantic University, the DNP program is designed with busy nurses in mind. The program is offered in a hybrid format, with in-person classes on the weekend and web-assisted materials online. This program is a great fit for nurses who want some of the traditional classroom experience typically associated with higher education, while also enjoying the convenience of having materials available online.
- Campus: Boca Raton, Florida
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $400 per credit, the total number of credits will depend on student’s prior education
- Minimum time commitment: Two years
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have their BSN or MSN with a GPA of at least 3.0, two letters of recommendation, an RN license, a personal statement of goals, and an in-person interview.
- Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- School Site: Florida Atlantic University Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, Doctor of Nursing (DNP) Program Overview
3. Florida International University
Florida International University has been ranked among the top graduate nursing programs in the country by U.S. News & World Report. At Florida International, DNP students learn how to provide advanced medical care while also learning how to affect widespread change in the healthcare industry. Florida International provides the options for several specialties, making this program ideal for nurses who are interested in learning more about a particular area of nursing.
- Campus: Miami, Florida
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $550 per credit, the total number of credits depend on student’s prior education
- Minimum time commitment: Two years
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have their MSN or BSN, an RN license, an APRN specialty certification, a statement of purpose, three letters of recommendation, and an in-person interview.
- Programs: Students may choose from several specialties, including gerontology primary care nurse practitioner, family health nurse practitioner, pediatric primary care nurse practitioner, psychiatric-mental health nurse practitioner, and nurse educator.
- School Site: Florida International University – Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing & Health Sciences – Graduate Nursing
4. Florida State University
At Florida State University, the DNP program is designed to help nurses understand the reasoning behind advanced patient care best practices so that they can institute evidence-based care that makes sense for each of their patients. Students in this program will learn about health care policy, leadership, and nursing management, setting them up for success in any role they take on in the future.
- Campus: Tallahassee, Florida
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $400 per credit, the total number of credit depends on student’s prior education
- Minimum time commitment: Two years
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: Applicants must have a BSN or MSN with a GPA of 3.0 or higher, an RN license, a GRE score or MAT score, and must complete an essay.
- Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- School Site: Florida State University College of Nursing – DNP Family Nurse Practitioner
5. Jacksonville University
Jacksonville University’s DNP program is a great fit for busy nurses who have their BSN or MSN. Both tracks are hybrid, meaning some classes are online and some are in a traditional classroom. No matter what your schedule, you’ll be able to fulfill your DNP requirements at Jacksonville.
- Campus: Jacksonville, Florida
- Type: Public
- Accreditation: Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
- Tuition: Approximately $550 per credit, the total number of credits depends on student’s prior education
- Minimum time commitment: Three years
- Online availability: Yes
- Degree requirements: Students must have their BSN or MSN with a GPA of at least 3.3 and an RN license.
- Programs: Doctor of Nursing Practice
- School Site: Jacksonville University BSN to DNP