Which Schools Offer Nursing Career Training in Melbourne, FL?

Find schools in Melbourne, Florida, offering nursing career training. Learn about state training and licensing requirements, job growth, and salary info for nurses living in the Melbourne, FL, area. Schools offering Nursing degrees can also be found in these popular choices.

Requirements for Nurses in Florida

If you're interested in becoming a nurse in Florida, you'll need to complete a state-approved training program. To be a licensed practical nurse (LPN) or a licensed vocational nurse (LVN), you'll have to complete a diploma or certificate program and pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses (NCLEX-PN). Aspiring registered nurses (RNs) typically follow one of three educational paths: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN), a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), or a diploma from an approved nursing program. Before you can practice as an RN, you must pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). You can then apply for your nursing license through the Florida Board of Nursing.

Salary and Job Outlook for Nurses in Melbourne, Florida

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), LPNs and LVNs were predicted to experience a national employment growth of 22%, and RNs would see a nationwide growth of 26% from 2010-2020. In May 2011, the BLS reported that 4,730 registered nurses and 1,170 LPNs and LVNs were employed in the Palm Bay - Melbourne - Titusville, FL regions. These RNs earned mean annual wages of about $60,000, and the LPNs and LVNs earned around $42,000 during that time.


Nursing Certificate Programs in the Melbourne, FL, Area

Brevard Community College

  • Program Name: Practical Nursing Postsecondary Adult Vocational Certificate
  • Program Length: 1 year (45 credit hours), full-time
  • Tuition: $77/credit hour vocational programs for residents; $308/credit hour vocational programs for non-residents (Fall 2012-Summer 2013)
  • Admission Requirements: Must take TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version V prior to submitting application; reading score must be at least 69%, and adjusted individual overall score must be at least 58.7%; criminal background check and drug screening
  • School Type: 2-year, public; about 18,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida 32922
  • Phone: 321-433-7575

The practical nursing program at Brevard Community College (BCC) teaches you the skills needed to gain employment as a practical nurse in various health settings, while also preparing you to take the NCLEX-PN. This program, consisting of 1,350 clock hours, has limited seating; selection is based on specific criteria, such as college course GPA, relevant work experience, health education, and points received for program-related courses completed. Florida certified nursing assistants who complete a transition for practical nursing program and meet the admission criteria may receive advanced standing in the LPN program at Brevard.

Technical Education Center Osceola

  • Program Name: Practical Nursing Certificate
  • Program Length: 1,350 hours, full-time
  • Tuition: $6,511 estimated total program cost (Fall 2012)
  • Prerequisites: Must possess Florida driver's license
  • Admission Requirements: TABE (Test of Adult Basic Education) test score of 20; proof of current immunizations, drug screening, and criminal background check; 3 letters of recommendation; must attend mandatory orientation
  • School Type: 2-year, public; about 670 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 501 Simpson Road, Kissimmee, Florida 34744
  • Phone: 407-344-5080 Ext. 15351

The practical nursing program at the Technical Education Center Osceola includes both day and evening classes. Your curriculum includes theoretical courses and clinical rotations to provide you with hands-on training. Upon completion of all training, you'll be prepared to sit for the NCLEX-PN. Although currently a full-time program, the school will be offering a part-time program in Fall 2013.


Nursing Associate Degree Programs in the Melbourne, FL, Area

Brevard Community College

  • Program Name: Associate in Science in Nursing - RN
  • Program Length: 2 years, full-time
  • Tuition: $102/credit hour associate degree programs for residents; $374/credit hour associate programs for non-residents (Fall 2012-Summer 2013)
  • Prerequisites: College prep courses in reading, writing, and math must be completed with a grade of 'S' or better
  • Admission Requirements: Criminal background check and drug screening
  • School Type: 2-year, public; about 18,000 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 1519 Clearlake Road, Cocoa, Florida 32922
  • Phone: 321-433-7575

BCC also offers an Associate in Science Nursing (ASN) program. This program prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN. Your curriculum covers such subjects as basic and advanced surgical nursing, childbearing family care, psychiatric patient care, pharmacology, physiology and anatomy, clinical lab basics, and leadership, as well as covering general education courses. You'll also complete clinical rotations. LPNs who meet the admissions criteria can take the 1-year Associate in Science in Nursing transitional program.

Indian River State College

  • Program Name: Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN)
  • Program Length: 2 years (72 credits), full-time
  • Tuition: $11,143 approximate program cost (Fall 2012)
  • Prerequisites: English composition I and II, anatomy & physiology I &II (with labs), microbiology for health sciences, introductory chemistry, nutrition, introductory psychology or sociology; must be certified in CPR; must complete college math, English, and reading preparatory courses prior to application deadline
  • Admission Requirements: Must be 18 years of age by start of first class; must submit all transcripts and copies of SAT or ACT scores; must attend information session; must take pre-admission test; photo ID; must pass physical examination (with current immunizations), drug screening, and criminal background check
  • School Type: 4-year, public, primarily associate's; about 17,500 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida 34981
  • Phone: 772-462-4772

The associate's degree in nursing program at Indian River State College prepares you to take the NCLEX-RN and seek work as a registered nurse or can act as a foundation towards a nursing baccalaureate degree. LPNs, paramedics, and respiratory therapists interested in pursuing this degree can take advantage of the school's advanced placement option if they meet the requirements. Your curriculum includes coursework, lab studies, and clinical education.


Nursing Bachelor's Degree Programs in the Melbourne, FL, Area

Indian River State College

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • Program Length: 2 years, full-time
  • Tuition: $5,873 approximate program cost (Fall 2012)
  • Prerequisites: Associate's degree in nursing with valid Florida nursing license; college algebra and elementary statistics
  • Admission Requirements: GPA of at least 2.5; proof of criminal background check, drug screening, physical examination and current immunizations
  • School Type: 4-year, public, primarily associate's; about 17,500 students (all undergraduate)
  • Address: 3209 Virginia Avenue, Fort Pierce, Florida 34981
  • Phone: 772-462-7570

The BSN program at Indian River State College is ideal for registered nurses interested in leadership positions in the nursing field. In addition to completing the 72-credit associate's degree in nursing program, you'll need to complete 31 credits of nursing baccalaureate courses and 18 credits of general education credits to meet the required 121 credits. General education courses may be taken before entering the program. Course topics include pathophysiology, pharmacology, legal and ethic issues in healthcare, and nursing theory.

University of Central Florida

  • Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
  • Program Length: 5 semesters, full-time
  • Tuition: $103/credit hour for Florida residents; $103/credit hour tuition plus $511 non-resident fee for non-Florida residents (2012-2013)
  • Prerequisites: General chemistry, microbiology with lab, human anatomy with lab, human physiology with lab, general psychology and/or general sociology, human nutrition, statistics, and developmental psychology (or assessing human development with a 'C' or better); valid Florida RN license
  • Admission Requirements: Completed College of Nursing student health form; proof of physical examination, TB test, current immunizations, HIV/AIDS training, drug screening, HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) training, CPR certification, fingerprinting, criminal background check, and personal health insurance
  • School Type: 4-year, public; about 58,500 students (about 50,000 undergraduate)
  • Address: 4000 Central Florida Boulevard, Orlando, Florida 32816
  • Phone: 407-823-2744

The University of Central Florida (UCF) offers the BSN program at its Orlando, Daytona, and Cocoa campuses. The BSN offers a cohort program that allows you to progress through your entire 5-semester curriculum with the same group of fellow students. Along with your classroom studies, you'll also participate in clinical rotations at local health care facilities and hospitals. This program might appeal to you if you have some college education in nursing or an associate's degree in field other than nursing.

UCF also offers various nursing programs, including BSN completion programs, master's, and doctoral degrees in nursing. You can earn your master's degree through an online program and choose a concentration in either nurse educator studies or nursing leadership and management. The nurse educator option requires you to complete an internship. You can also earn your Doctor of Nursing Practice, a Ph.D. in Nursing, and graduate certificates in nursing at this school.

To continue researching, browse degree options below for course curriculum, prerequisites and financial aid information. Or, learn more about the subject by reading the related articles below:

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