Top Nurse Practitioner Programs in Jacksonville, Florida

Whether you’re a dedicated nurse aiming to progress in your career path or simply intrigued by the realm of Nurse Practitioners (NPs), you’re in the perfect spot. Dive into an exploration of these 3 top NP Programs in Jacksonville, Florida, where we delve into their unique features, expenses, anticipated salaries, and beyond.

What are Nurse Practitioner Programs in Jacksonville, Florida?

NP programs in Jacksonville aim to equip registered nurses (RNs) with the necessary skills to transition into advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs), capable of delivering elevated levels of patient care.

These programs commonly provide specializations in fields like family practice, psychiatric-mental health, pediatrics, geriatrics, women’s health, and acute care, among others. This specialization can be pursued through various educational paths, including a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN), Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), or Post-Graduate Certificate, contingent on the individual’s prior nursing education.

Jacksonville NP Curriculum Overview

NP programs in Jacksonville typically encompass a broad array of subjects crucial for aspiring advanced practice registered nurses. Here’s an overview:

Advanced Health Assessment: Equip students with the skills needed to conduct thorough patient assessments across all stages of life, ensuring comprehensive care delivery.

Advanced Pathophysiology: Delve deeper into the understanding of disease processes, elucidating their effects on bodily functions and systems to facilitate accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.

Advanced Pharmacology: Provide a comprehensive understanding of pharmacological therapies, including their mechanisms of action, interactions, and appropriate clinical applications to optimize patient care outcomes.

Primary Care: Focus on outpatient care, emphasizing the diagnosis and management of common acute and chronic health conditions encountered in primary healthcare settings, enhancing students’ proficiency in delivering comprehensive care.

Specialty Courses: Tailored to individual interests and career goals, these courses delve into specialized areas such as pediatric care, adult-gerontology, psychiatric-mental health, or women’s health, equipping students with specialized skills and knowledge relevant to their chosen field of practice.

Health Policy: Foster an understanding of healthcare policy development, implementation, and its implications on healthcare delivery, empowering students to navigate the complex healthcare landscape effectively and advocate for patient-centered care.

Research Methods: Equip students with the necessary skills to critically evaluate research literature and apply evidence-based practice principles in clinical settings, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement in healthcare delivery.

Jacksonville NP Clinical Training Overview

Clinical training stands as a cornerstone of NP programs in Jacksonville, offering students invaluable opportunities to translate classroom learning into hands-on practice within authentic healthcare environments, all while under the guidance of seasoned professionals. Here’s what you can expect from clinical training:

Direct Patient Care: Immerse yourself in the clinical realm with hundreds of hours dedicated to managing patient care comprehensively, spanning from initial assessment through treatment and follow-up, honing your clinical skills and bedside manner.

Specialty Clinical Rotations: Tailored to your chosen specialty, clinical rotations provide exposure to diverse healthcare settings, including pediatrics, emergency medicine, family practice, and beyond, offering a well-rounded clinical experience aligned with your career aspirations.

Simulation Labs: Utilize state-of-the-art simulation labs to simulate real-world scenarios and refine advanced clinical procedures in a safe, controlled environment, allowing for repeated practice and mastery of essential skills before encountering them in live patient settings.

Mentorship with Experienced NPs and Physicians: Benefit from personalized mentorship under the guidance of seasoned NPs and physicians, receiving invaluable insights and feedback to develop your clinical reasoning and decision-making abilities, ensuring readiness for independent practice.

Interdisciplinary Team Experience: Embrace collaborative care through interdisciplinary team experiences, working alongside other healthcare professionals to deliver holistic and patient-centered care, gaining a deeper appreciation for the multidisciplinary nature of healthcare delivery.

By immersing yourself in these enriching clinical experiences, you’ll emerge from your NP program equipped with the confidence, competence, and compassion needed to excel in your role as an advanced practice registered nurse.

Top Nurse Practioner Programs in Jacksonville, Florida – Offering Flexibility Both Online and On-Campus

These schools have been carefully selected through all nurses methodology, which involves surveying our readers to discern their priorities, along with considerations such as graduation rates, student-faculty ratio, pricing, mode of instruction, duration, and admission rates across a multitude of prominent nursing institutions in the United States.

Jacksonville University

The Keigwin School of Nursing at Jacksonville University offers an MSN program featuring various NP tracks, including Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP), Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP), and Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). These programs cater to both full-time and part-time students and provide post-graduate certificate options for further specialization. Emphasizing extensive clinical training, the curriculum ensures students are well-prepared to meet the demanding standards of advanced nursing practice.

MSN NP Program Overview

Duration: 24 months

Tuition: $700 per credit hour

Accreditation: CCNE

Jacksonville University’s MSN NP concentrations comprise

Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP)

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)

Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP)

Program Features

Adaptable Pacing: Offered in both full-time and part-time study tracks to accommodate diverse schedules.

Post-Graduate Certifications: Opportunities exist for additional specialization upon MSN program fulfillment.

Admission Criteria: Requirements encompass an online application, submission of transcripts, GRE scores, a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited BSN program, a resume or CV, a statement of intent, a valid RN license, and relevant professional nursing experience.

Annual Enrollment Cycle: Accepts students once annually, exclusively for the fall semester.

Clinical and Background Screening: Participation in clinical activities necessitates background checks, as stipulated by clinical partners.

University of North Florida

The University of North Florida offers a BSN to DNP program geared towards addressing prevalent health issues and promoting disease prevention across all age groups, preparing graduates to effectively meet the healthcare needs of individuals and families. Upon completion, graduates become eligible for FNP certification examinations and APRN licensure in Florida.

DNP NP Program Overview

Duration: Typically completed in eight semesters.

Tuition: $494 per credit hour for Florida residents; $1,044 for non-residents.

Accreditation: CCNE

NF’s NP concentrations include:

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): 68 credit hours

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): 83 credit hours

FNP Program Highlights

Program Focus: Emphasizes holistic healthcare across all life stages, with a focus on disease prevention and managing uncomplicated health conditions.

Certification and Licensure: Graduates are eligible for FNP certification exams and state APRN licensure.

Program Length and Credits: Completion requires fulfilling 83 credit hours.

Admission Requirements: Applicants need a BSN degree and must meet the university’s admission criteria, including application fees, college transcripts, and specific documentation for international students.

Delivery Mode: In-person delivery facilitates direct engagement and practical learning experiences.

Application Deadline: Applications are accepted until December 1 for fall semester enrollment.

Keiser University

Keiser University’s MSN FNP program is meticulously designed to furnish a comprehensive foundation in advanced practice nursing, with a central focus on health promotion, disease prevention, and the management of acute and chronic illnesses across all stages of life.

MSN NP Program Overview

• Duration: Completed within 18-24 months.
• Credit Hours: Consists of 49 credit hours.
• Accreditation: CCNE

Program Highlights

Curriculum: Encompasses a wide array of coursework, including primary healthcare across various family health dimensions, advanced pathophysiology, behavioral health throughout the lifespan, and immersive practicum experiences.

Flexible Learning Options: Keiser University offers both on-campus and online learning pathways, ensuring flexibility to cater to the diverse needs and schedules of students.

Capstone and Certification: Culminating in a capstone project, the program thoroughly prepares graduates for the Family Nurse Practitioner Board Certification Examination.

Experienced Faculty: Students benefit from the expertise of faculty members who are not only highly qualified but also actively involved in their respective fields of teaching.

Prerequisites & Requirements for NP Programs in Jacksonville, FL

NP programs in Jacksonville adhere to specific prerequisites and requirements to ensure candidates are adequately prepared for the rigors of advanced education and clinical practice.

Jacksonville NP Prerequisites

Entering an NP program in Jacksonville typically necessitates the following prerequisites:

Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN): Applicants are generally expected to hold a BSN degree from an accredited nursing program.

RN License: Candidates must possess an active and unrestricted RN license in the state of Florida.

Work Experience: Some programs mandate applicants to have clinical experience, often requiring a minimum of one to two years of full-time nursing practice, preferably in a relevant setting corresponding to the chosen NP track.

Minimum GPA: A minimum undergraduate GPA, typically around 3.0 or higher, is commonly required for admission consideration.

Standardized Test Scores: While some programs may request Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, this requirement is increasingly being waived by many institutions.

Prerequisite Courses: Completion of specific undergraduate courses such as statistics, health assessment, and others, with a minimum grade, may also be mandatory for admission.

Jacksonville NP Requirements

The requirements for successful admission and completion of an NP Program in Jacksonville typically include:

Application: Completion of an application form, which may include essays or a personal statement.

Letters of Recommendation: Letters from academic and/or professional references, often highlighting the applicant’s clinical skills and academic potential.

Interviews: Some programs conduct interviews to assess candidates’ motivations, communication skills, and suitability for the profession.

Background Check and Drug Screening: Due to the clinical nature of the training, applicants often need to pass a criminal background check and drug screening.

Clinical Rotations: Completion of required clinical hours in designated specialties, which vary by program and specialization.

Academic Standards: Maintenance of a certain GPA throughout the program to remain in good standing.

Certification Examination: Upon completion of the program, graduates must pass a national certification examination relevant to their specialty area to practice as an NP.

Nurse Practitioners’ Duties & Specializations in Jacksonville

Here are a few listed

Fundamental Responsibilities of Nurse Practitioners:

• Conduct thorough assessments of patients’ physical well-being.
• Order and interpret diagnostic tests, including X-rays and lab examinations.
• Address a diverse range of health concerns, spanning from acute ailments to chronic illnesses.
• Prescribe medications and develop tailored treatment regimens.
• Provide patient education on preventive healthcare practices, treatment alternatives, and self-care techniques.
• The specific roles and responsibilities of NPs can vary significantly based on their chosen areas of specialization.

Nurse Practitioner Specialties in Jacksonville

In Jacksonville, Nurse Practitioners have the opportunity to pursue diverse specialties, each making distinct contributions to healthcare. Notable specializations include:

Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): FNPs play a pivotal role in delivering family-centered healthcare, offering comprehensive and personalized services to patients of all ages. They excel in preventive care and health promotion, collaborating closely with patients to cultivate holistic health approaches.

Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP): AGNPs focus on addressing the healthcare needs of adults as they age, spanning from young adulthood to senior years. Proficient in managing acute and chronic conditions, they emphasize preventive measures and patient education to promote healthy aging.

Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): PMHNPs specialize in managing mental health disorders, providing comprehensive care encompassing assessment, therapy, and advocacy. They work to combat mental health stigmas and enhance community mental wellness through comprehensive support for individuals facing mental health challenges.

Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP): WHNPs specialize in women’s health, offering tailored care throughout various life stages. They address specific gynecological concerns and provide support from reproductive years to menopause, emphasizing education and preventive measures to improve women’s health outcomes.

Neonatal Nurse Practitioner (NNP): NNPs focus on caring for newborns, particularly premature infants or those with significant health issues. Integral to neonatal intensive care teams, they provide specialized care tailored to each infant’s needs and offer crucial support to families.

Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): PNPs specialize in pediatric healthcare, serving children from infancy through adolescence. Beyond treating illnesses, they conduct developmental screenings and promote healthy habits to foster holistic child development, serving as trusted advisors to families.

Costs of Nurse Practioner Programs in Jacksonville

Each specialization enables Nurse Practitioners in Jacksonville to deepen their expertise in specific health domains, championing preventive care, patient education, and overall well-being. By choosing a specialization, NPs become leaders in their fields, enhancing patient care and health outcomes.

The financial considerations associated with Nurse Practitioner (NP) programs in Jacksonville, FL, can vary significantly based on factors like the institution, program structure, and specific location. Here’s an in-depth breakdown of the primary financial components:

Tuition: Typically, the largest expense, tuition rates may differ notably between public and private universities in Jacksonville. Additionally, variations exist between in-state and out-of-state tuition, and fees may be assessed per credit hour or per semester.

Fees: These encompass application fees, registration fees, technology fees, and lab fees, all of which can substantially augment the overall cost of education.

Books and Supplies: Essential materials such as textbooks, medical equipment, and uniforms constitute significant expenses throughout the program’s duration.

Clinical Expenses: These may entail travel costs if clinical placements are not conveniently situated near the student’s residence or campus.

Certification and Licensing: Following graduation, students must allocate funds for certification exams and state licensure fees.

Living Costs: Housing, food, and transportation expenses are noteworthy, particularly for full-time students who may have limited employment opportunities.

Additional Costs: Health insurance, technology upkeep, travel for campus visits, and ongoing education to maintain licensure are among potential additional expenses.

To alleviate the financial burden, students should explore financial aid avenues such as scholarships, grants, and work-study programs. This proactive approach can help mitigate costs. Prospective students are advised to carefully evaluate and select the Most Affordable NP Programs in 2024 to make informed decisions. For precise and up-to-date information regarding program costs, direct communication with educational institutions is recommended.

Expected Salaries for NP Programs in Jacksonville, FL

New information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) offers valuable insights into NP salaries in Jacksonville, Florida. With the state boasting the highest employment rate for NPs nationwide, at 22,270, the average annual mean wage for Nurse Practitioners in the region is $119,710, slightly below the national average of $128,490.

On the other hand, according to ZipRecruiter, the average annual salary for NPs in Florida is reported as $90,634, with Jacksonville specifically showing a higher average at $113,307 per year.

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