Florida has one of the highest needs for registered nurses in the country. Whether you’re already based in Florida and looking to become registered as a nurse or you’re looking to relocate somewhere sunny and warm to get licensed, Tampa holds some great options for BSN programs.
Below is a collection of traditional BSN programs based in Tampa (or within 30 miles of Tampa) for you to consider during this exciting time in your nursing career.
Arizona College of Nursing offers one of the most affordable and flexible BSN programs on the market, and their Tampa Campus is perfect for those already based in Florida who don’t want to leave home for their degree.
The BSN program offered a Arizona College of Nursing is a three-year program that also allows students to graduate earlier if they have completed certain credits. They also offer evening and weekend classes for nurses who have little room in their schedule to complete coursework.
Lastly, ACN’s curriculum has a noted focus on career training. They dedicate a portion of their curriculum to help nurses through the interview process and connect them with positions once they’ve completed their training.
Learn more about Arizona College of Nursing’s BSN program here.
Another great three-year program located near Tampa is Galen College of Nursing’s BSN program. Like Arizona College of Nursing, GCN allows their students to complete their BSN in as little as two years with the transfer of credits or if they already have another nursing degree such as an ADN or ASN. If you’re just beginning your nursing career, they also offer all of the necessary introductory classes you’ll need to get started.
Another benefit to GCN’s program is that they offer four different start dates per year – one each quarter. This allows flexibility for students who might have missed the application deadline for other BSN programs.
Learn more about Galen College of Nursing’s BSN program here.
If you need your BSN program in a shorter time frame or you’re looking for a program with a little added flexibility, check out Utica College’s Accelerated BSN program. While this program is only available for nurses who have experience in the field or already have a nursing degree, nurses who qualify will be able to acquire their BSN in as little as 16 months.
Apart from the ability to complete this program early, you can also take most of Utica College’s classes online with a variety of options to choose from when it comes time to fulfill your in-person requirements such as clinicals or lab assignments.
If you don’t qualify for admission into the accelerated BSN option, they also offer flexible options for standard BSN students through a hybrid curriculum.
Learn more about Utica College’s Accelerated or hybrid BSN program here.
St. Petersburg College doesn’t have too many options in terms of flexible or online learning, but with their state-of-the-art nursing simulation center, why would you want to take your classes off campus?
The Simulation Center for Excellence in Nursing Education (SCENE) located at St. Petersburg College’s campus is an immersive and expansive learning experience perfect for students who are tactile and hands-on learners. If you’re local and looking for a unique BSN experience, look no further.
Learn more about St. Petersburg College’s BSN program here.
Rasmussen University has campuses all over the country, but there are three within a 30-mile drive from Tampa – Land ‘o Lakes, New Port Richey, and the Tampa campus itself. All three campuses offer amazing BSN programs for nurses. You can choose from their traditional BSN program, or one of their accelerated BSN programs for students who are already licensed, have an ADN or are working as LPNs. Regardless of which you choose, you can expect to get your BSN in as little as 12 months.
The cost of Rasmussen University is also a big draw for many students in Tampa. All in all, you could expect to paying as little as $36,570 - $62,100 for your tuition depending on if you take the accelerated route.
Lastly, Rasmussen University also has a proven track record when it comes to student success – approximately 82% of Rasmussen University Florida BSN students passed the NCLEX in 2023.
Learn more about Rasmussen University’s BSN program here.
The University of Tampa’s program is perfect for students passed in Tampa, but it’s also a great program for students with an interest in becoming travel nurses. This program offers a hands on opportunity for students to travel to Costa Rica, Ghana, and the Dominican Republic for a hands-on, immersive, learning experience.
Apart from the unique learning opportunities that the University of Tampa’s BSN offers, they also have verifiable student success rates. Approximately 95% of students who graduated from their program have consistently passed the NCLEX for the last five years.
Learn more about the University of Tampa’s BSN program here.