Nursing

"Nurses promote health, prevent disease, and help patients cope with illness. They have a unique scope of practice and can practice independently, although they also collaborate with all members of the healthcare team to provide the care needed by each patient as an individual. Nurses are hands-on health professionals who provide focused and highly personalized care. The field has a wide range of career opportunities, ranging from entry-level practitioner to doctoral-level researcher.

Nurses also serve as advocates for patients, families, and communities. They develop and manage nursing care plans; instruct patients and their families in proper care; and help individuals and groups take steps to improve or maintain their health." (ExploreHealthCareers.org and American Association of Colleges of Nursing)

Programs

• There are 475 masters programs and 178 doctoral nursing programs in the US.
• A list of accredited programs can be found online.
• Nursing Ph.D. programs in Florida include:
  • Barry University
  • Florida Atlantic University
  • Florida International University
  • Florida State University
  • Nova Southeastern University
  • University of Central Florida
  • University of Florida
  • University of Miami
  • University of North Florida
  • University of South Florida

Admission Requirements

• Most programs look for a minimum undergraduate GPA around 3.0
• Most graduate programs require a bachelors degree in nursing, there are accelerated bachelors degree programs for students with another undergraduate degree.
• Most programs require a GRE or MAT score
• Letters of Recommendations
• Experience in healthcare is required

Timeline

• Applications primarily are submitted to individual programs
• Some programs use an application service called NursingCAS

Resources

• American College of Nurse Practitioners
• American Association of Colleges of Nursing
• American Nurses Association