This guide assumes that you hold the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor of Science in Nursing, so the most appropriate license type for you is a Registered Nurse (RN). It also assumes that your Florida license will be your first U.S. nursing license, so you will become an RN through licensure by examination. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) administers the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), which is required for licensing as an RN in Florida.
In the U.S., the term RN includes professionals with a variety of education levels but with certain skill sets in common. Most people become RNs after participating in one of two types of degree programs:
Usually a higher level of education corresponds to greater responsibility, specialization, and advancement opportunities in the workplace. Many RNs later go on to receive masters or doctoral degrees in nursing and pursue careers as APRNs or in healthcare management, consulting, research, or education roles.
Nursing is a growing field in the U.S. due to factors including such as the aging U.S. population, nurse attrition (choosing to leave the job), and the increasing complexity of nursing practice. The State of Florida has an urgent need for nurses. A 2021 study prepared for the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida found that the state expects to see a 12% shortfall in RNs and 30% shortfall in LPNs between 2019 and 2035. Specifically, major metropolitan areas are expected to have enough RNs, but they are expected to have a shortfall of LPNs. Conversely, in rural areas, there is expected to be a shortage of RNs and an adequate supply of LPNs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. Most nurses practice in hospital settings, but also in physicians’ offices, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers. In 2020, the median pay for RNs was approximately $75,330 annually.
Nursing is a growing field in the U.S. due to factors including such as the aging U.S. population, nurse attrition (choosing to leave the job), and the increasing complexity of nursing practice. The State of Florida has an urgent need for nurses. A 2021 study prepared for the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida found that the state expects to see a 12% shortfall in RNs and 30% shortfall in LPNs between 2019 and 2035. Specifically, major metropolitan areas are expected to have enough RNs, but they are expected to have a shortfall of LPNs. Conversely, in rural areas, there is expected to be a shortage of RNs and an adequate supply of LPNs.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that employment of registered nurses is expected to grow 9% from 2020 to 2030. Most nurses practice in hospital settings, but also in physicians’ offices, home healthcare, and outpatient care centers. In 2020, the median pay for RNs was approximately $75,330 annually.
