Nurse Educator Schools in Florida

Are you working as a practicing nurse in Florida and considering stepping up to a career in education? It's a rewarding career in which you can train new nursing students or long-term professionals. If this sounds appealing, you should know about the mandatory steps and other choices to help you achieve this career in the state of Florida.

What Are the Online Nursing Education Prerequisites in Florida?
2025 Best Nurse Educator Programs in Florida
Nurse Educator Licensing and Certification in Florida
Who Hires Nurse Educators in Florida?
List of Nurse Educator Degree Programs in Florida

Amy Kowalska, MSN, RN | Updated/Verified: Mar 10, 2025

What Are the Online Nursing Education Prerequisites in Florida?

To work as a nurse educator in the state of Florida, it is first mandatory that you have an undergraduate and graduate degree along with an RN license. The undergraduate program can be ADN or BSN. Your graduate degree must be a master's at a minimum – either an MSN with an education track or a dedicated MSN in Nursing Education. Many nurse educators also go on to pursue a doctorate degree in nursing education, which comes in three types: the DNP, the Ph.D., or the Ed.D.

MSN Programs Post Master's Certificate Programs DNP Programs PhD Programs EdD Programs

2025 Best Nurse Educator Programs in Florida

Finding the best nurse educator programs in Florida is easier with nurseeducator.com. We rank top schools to help you choose. Our list looks at quality, cost, and how well they prepare students. Florida offers many great options for future nurse educators. Start your journey with a program that fits your goals. Learn more about how we rank these programs at https://nurseeducator.com/rankings-methodology/.

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL - Public 4-Year - fsu.edu

Master's - Master of Science in Nursing

Concentration: Nursing Education - Online Learning - Visit Website

Florida State University's Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) offers a specialized Nursing Education concentration designed for aspiring educators. This innovative online program equips nurses with advanced leadership and curriculum development skills, preparing them to teach in various healthcare educational settings. Students gain comprehensive knowledge to shape future nursing professionals, with flexible learning options and financial support opportunities. The program requires a BSN, 3.0 GPA, and active RN licensure, making it accessible for working nurses seeking to advance their careers in clinical education.

Online asynchronous program
Nursing Education concentration available
No GRE requirement
3.0 minimum GPA
Active RN license needed
October 1 application deadline
Financial support options
Prepare for faculty roles
Teach in various nursing programs

University of Central Florida

Orlando, FL - Public 4-Year - ucf.edu

Graduate Certificate - Nurse Educator Certificate

Online Learning - Visit Website

University of Central Florida's Post-Bachelor's Online Nurse Educator Certificate prepares nurses to excel in teaching roles across healthcare education settings. Designed for working professionals, this flexible online program equips nurses with advanced instructional skills in just three semesters. Ideal for RNs seeking to transition into educational leadership, the program offers a streamlined pathway to becoming an impactful nurse educator without interrupting current clinical practice.

Online asynchronous format
No GRE required
12 total credit hours
Part-time program (3 semesters)
Requires active RN license
BSN or MSN degree needed
Flexible work-friendly schedule
Nurse Licensure Compact states
Undergraduate statistics prerequisite

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL - Private 4-year - nova.edu

Master's - M.S.N. in Nursing Education

Online Learning - Visit Website

Nova Southeastern University's M.S.N. in Nursing Education empowers nurses to transform healthcare by preparing the next generation of nursing professionals. This comprehensive online program provides a strategic pathway for career advancement, offering 36 total credits designed to equip nurses with advanced educational and leadership skills. Ideal for working professionals seeking flexibility, the program combines core foundational courses with specialized nursing education modules, enabling graduates to pursue roles in staff development, vocational-technical instruction, and community college teaching.

36 total credit program
Fully online coursework
5 semester curriculum
170 practicum hours required
Application deadlines: Aug 1, Dec 23
Ranked by U.S. News & World Report
Courses include advanced nursing roles
Nurse Educator Capstone included
Flexible for working professionals
Pathway to doctoral studies

Doctorate - Doctor of Nursing Practice

Concentration: Nursing Education - Online Learning - Visit Website

Elevate your nursing career with Nova Southeastern University's comprehensive DNP program. Designed for ambitious professionals, this flexible pathway transforms experienced nurses into advanced practice leaders. With six specialized concentrations, including Nursing Education, the program blends online learning and hands-on clinical experiences. Students complete 69-75 total credits, gaining over 1,000 clinical hours and cutting-edge healthcare insights. Tailored for working nurses, the curriculum empowers you to drive innovation, improve patient outcomes, and pursue leadership roles across diverse healthcare settings.

69-75 total credits
Multiple nursing concentrations
Over 1,000 clinical hours
Flexible online and hybrid options
Nursing Education track available
Fall and winter admission dates
Application deadline August 1 (Fall)
Application deadline December 23 (Winter)
Three-day Summer Institute
Doctoral-level leadership preparation

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University of West Florida

Pensacola, FL - Public 4-Year - uwf.edu

Graduate Certificate - Nursing Education Graduate Certificate

Online Learning - Visit Website

The University of West Florida's Online Nursing Education Graduate Certificate empowers licensed RNs with an MSN to become skilled nursing educators. Designed for professionals seeking advanced teaching roles, this 18-credit, 13-month program prepares graduates to excel in academic and clinical settings. With flexible online learning, competitive tuition at $425 per credit hour, and comprehensive coursework, students develop expertise in educational strategies, leadership, and patient-centered care. Graduates can pursue rewarding careers as nurse educators, community health instructors, and academic professionals.

18 semester credit hours
Online program format
13-month estimated length
$425 per credit hour
Requires MSN degree
Minimum 3.0 GPA required
300 practicum hours
Current RN license needed
Competitive admissions process
Prepares for nurse educator roles

University of South Florida

Tampa, FL - Public 4-Year - usf.edu

Master's - Nursing Education

Campus Based - Visit Website

The USF College of Nursing's MSN Nursing Education concentration prepares advanced nursing professionals to excel in educational settings. Designed for experienced nurses seeking to become educators, the program equips students with comprehensive teaching skills across healthcare and academic environments. Graduates develop expertise in curriculum development, teaching methodologies, and educational technologies. The 40-credit program focuses on innovative teaching strategies, research principles, and practical experience in classroom and clinical settings.

40 total credit hours
Program on hold Fall 2021
Prepare for NLN Certification
Part-time and full-time options
Teaching practicum experiences
Comprehensive examination required
Teaches classroom and clinical education
Focuses on teaching/learning theories

Online RN to MSN Nurse Educator Programs

Those with years of experience as practice nurses will find several RN to MSN opportunities in Florida and some online availability. You will study both preventive care and nursing, theory and practice, statistics, curriculum development and assessment, and health promotion. Eligibility requirements are typically:

A minimum cumulative GPA. This can be anything between 2.8 and 3.0 on the 4.0 scale
Send transcripts as proof
Minimum grades may apply to specific undergraduate courses such as statistics or health assessment
RN license (unencumbered)
Schools may ask to see your NCLEX-RN score
CPR certification

Online Doctorate Nurse Educator Programs: DNP, Ph.D., Ed.D.

Florida has several universities that offer online Doctorate Nurse Educator programs, including the Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP), Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), and Doctor of Education (Ed.D.). These programs are designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in nursing education, leadership, research, and evidence-based practice.

Here are some typical admissions requirements for online Doctorate Nurse Educator programs in Florida:

Master’s degree in nursing or related field
Current, valid RN license
Minimum GPA requirement (usually 3.0 or higher)
Resume/CV
Personal statement or essay
Official transcripts from all universities attended
Three letters of recommendation
Interview with the admissions committee
Writing sample or research paper
Evidence of clinical experience or research experience may also be required for some programs.

Prospective students are encouraged to review the specific admission requirements for each program they are interested in and reach out to the program’s admissions office with any questions or concerns. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program, as competition for admission can be high. It’s important to carefully review the admission requirements, prepare a strong application, and demonstrate a passion for nursing education to increase the chances of being accepted into a program.

Nurse Educator Licensing and Certification in Florida

An RN license is mandatory for nursing educators. Even if you have no intention of practicing, that license must be maintained in line with the requirements of being a practice nurse. A master's degree or doctorate is then required prior to practice and certification.

Ideally, you should also have a Certificate of Nursing Education. The CNE is optional to operate as a nurse educator. However, it is often strongly preferred.

CNE (standard) is for those working in academic education
CNEcl is for those teaching professional learners. You need a minimum of three years minimum experience
CNEn certification is for newly qualified. To be eligible, you need under three years of experience

RN license requirements are mandatory for ongoing eligibility. Further, the CNE also requires minimum eligibility to be maintained.

RN licensing in Florida costs $110 for the application and a further $200 for the exam. License by endorsement is also $110. The CNE is the same cost throughout the US: $400 for NLN members and $500 for non-members.

Who Hires Nurse Educators in Florida?

These are the typical ways in which you might apply your Nursing Education MSN to a career:

Academic research and teaching: in our colleges and universities educating the next generation of nurses and other nursing professionals in a formal capacity
Teaching professional nurses: working in hospitals and clinics providing mandatory ongoing education and other important training.
Education providers: while you might train nurses, you could be employed to provide any medical training – for example in technology or procedures.
Charities: any of the above roles in a not-for-profit organization, or lobbying and public health advocacy.

List of Nurse Educator Degree Programs in Florida

Ready to find an online or campus-based nurse educator degree program in Florida? Explore our listings to find the perfect program that matches your academic goals and career aspirations.