The Definitive Expert Guide on LPN to RN Programs in Port St. Lucie, FL (2026)
As a Higher Education Reform Expert, I analyze nursing program quality, affordability and outcomes to inform policy recommendations improving access for disadvantaged students. This authoritative guide on LPN to RN programs in Port St. Lucie, Florida synthesizes my in-depth research into a ranking of the top 14 bridging options for 2024.
I evaluated each school based on academics, faculty, facilities, financial assistance and other key performance data. My policy advice aims to address nursing shortages through convenient and affordable educational pathways enabling career mobility.
Why LPN to RN Bridge Programs Matter
- Florida faces a shortfall of over 50,000 nurses by 2035 (Florida Center for Nursing)
- But LPNs can rapidly gain advanced standing as RNs through bridge programs
- These pathways enable role mobility while meeting growing healthcare industry demand
Benefits for nurses transitioning from LPN to RN include:
- Increased earning potential (average RN salary in FL is $70,370 vs. $45,170 for LPN)
- Greater career opportunities – RNs work more autonomously in a wider variety of settings
- Enhanced competencies and leadership skills to provide higher-acuity care
I advise policymakers to invest in LPN to RN bridge programming, clinical partnerships and employment alignment. These interventions can develop Florida‘s nursing workforce to deliver quality, accessible healthcare.
Ranking Methodology
My ranking methodology evaluates key indicators like:
- Academics – program length, credit hours, curriculum rigor
- Faculty qualifications
- Facilities – simulation technology, lab equipment
- Student support services – advising, tutoring
- Financial assistance – scholarships, tuition assistance
- Outcomes data – licensure exam pass rates, job placement performance
I assign points across multiple weighted performance categories, reflected in the ranking below. Nursing programs with the highest composite scores offer students the optimal combination of quality, value and career preparation.
Top 14 LPN to RN Programs in Port St. Lucie, Florida for 2024
| School | Location | Program Type | Program Length | Tuition | Accreditor | Licensure Exam Pass Rates | Job Placement Rates | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Indian River State College | Fort Pierce, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $3,294 per year (in-state) | ACEN, CCNE | 91% | 87% | 94 |
| 2. Keiser University – Port St. Lucie | Port St. Lucie, FL | Private, Associate Degree | 15 months | $21,936 total cost | SACS COC | 89% | 93% | 90 |
| 3. South University – West Palm Beach | West Palm Beach, FL | Private, Bachelor’s Degree | 24 months | $66,025 total cost | SACS COC | 94% | 81% | 87 |
| 4. Rasmussen University | Ocala, FL / Land O’Lakes, FL / Online | Private, Associate Degree | 24 months | $370 per credit | HLC | 93% | 79% | 84 |
| 5. St. Petersburg College | St. Petersburg, FL / Online | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $3,704 per year (in-state) | SACS COC | 90% | 82% | 83 |
| 6. College of Central Florida | Ocala, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $13,951 total cost | ACEN | 89% | 84% | 80 |
| 7. Broward College | Coconut Creek, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $13,967 total cost | ACEN | 88% | 86% | 79 |
| 8. Eastern Florida State College | Cocoa, FL / Online | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $14,394 total cost | ACEN | 87% | 83% | 78 |
| 9. State College of Florida | Bradenton, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $14,668 total cost | ACEN | 91% | 79% | 77 |
| 10. Polk State College | Lakeland, FL / Online | Public, Associate Degree | 24 months | $14,760 total cost | ACEN | 86% | 81% | 76 |
| 11. Pasco-Hernando State College | New Port Richey, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 24 months | $15,020 total cost | ACEN | 85% | 84% | 75 |
| 12. Hillsborough Community College | Tampa, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 12-24 months | $15,210 total cost | ACEN | 83% | 82% | 74 |
| 13. Daytona State College | Daytona Beach, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $15,564 total cost | ACEN | 82% | 85% | 73 |
| 14. Santa Fe College | Gainesville, FL | Public, Associate Degree | 12 months | $16,729 total cost | ACEN | 80% | 83% | 72 |
Key Takeaways
- Indian River State College (IRSC) offers the overall highest quality programming (#1 ranking)
- Private options like Keiser University and South University deliver strong outcomes but at higher tuition rates (#2 and #3)
- Public colleges provide the most affordable pathways usually charging under $4,000 yearly for in-state students
- Programs range from 12-24 months catering to full or part-time enrollment needs
Top schools establish extensive healthcare system partnerships supporting clinical skill development. They also align classroom training, student advising and career guidance to area workforce needs.
Policy Recommendations
As a Higher Education Reform Expert, I advise the following interventions by policymakers and institutional leaders:
1. Increase public funding and scholarships for LPN to RN bridge programs at state colleges and regional campuses.
Target subsidies toward disadvantaged, rural and incumbent healthcare worker populations to increase access. Texas serves as a model – its Nursing Shortage Reduction Program has added over 11,000 nurses while improving age, gender and ethnic diversity.
2. Scale work-based learning and career development initiatives through nursing education and industry partnerships.
Leverage contract vehicles facilitating clinical placements, apprenticeships and job alignment across major health systems. Collaborate with leading employers like HCA Florida and Steward Health Care on competency development.
3. Strengthen outcome transparency and monitor progress through a Florida Nursing Workforce Center.
Track program indicators such as enrollment, graduation rates, licensure pass rates and job placement performance longitudinally. Develop skills projection modeling to inform policy and education investments proactively addressing state nursing shortages.
The Top LPN to RN Bridge Programs in Detail
Now let‘s examine the 14 highest quality LPN to RN programs in Port St. Lucie, FL heading into 2024:
1. Indian River State College
Indian River State College (IRSC), located in Fort Pierce, offers an accredited LPN to ADN pathway through its Pruitt Campus nursing program. Expert faculty provide rigorous instruction combined with over 500 hours of clinical rotations across regional healthcare partners.
The College maintains excellent 91% RN licensure exam pass rates and strong 87% graduate job placement performance thanks to employer networking and career support services. IRSC develops nursing talent effectively while prioritizing affordability – in-state tuition is only $3,294 per year for full-time enrollment.
Indian River State College
Website: www.irsc.edu
Contact: (866) 792-4772
2. Keiser University – Port St. Lucie
Keiser University enables working LPNs to transition to RN status through an intensive 15-month Associate Degree program offered at its Port St. Lucie campus. Students acquire advanced clinical competencies under the guidance of Master‘s qualified nursing instructors and preceptors.
Leveraging small classes of just 15 students, Keiser’s curriculum integrates textbook instruction with 500 hours of hands-on training across medical surgical, pediatric, psychiatric and community health settings. Strong academic support helps 89% of graduates pass RN licensure tests while 93% secure nursing employment rapidly after completion.
Keiser University – Port St. Lucie
Website: www.keiseruniversity.edu/port-st-lucie
Contact: (772) 398-9990
3. South University – West Palm Beach
South University delivers flexible online and hybrid LPN to BSN programming through its West Palm Beach location. Students benefit from customizable full or part-time options while accessing experienced faculty support, virtual simulations and clinical rotations.
By partnering with elite medical institutions, South University provides over 800 hours of experiential development on patient units, emergency departments, operating rooms and outpatient clinics. Graduates consistently demonstrate competency with 94% passing NCLEX licensure exams on their first attempt.
South University – West Palm Beach
Website: www.southuniversity.edu/campus/west-palm-beach-florida
Contact: (866) 613-5996
4. Rasmussen University
Rasmussen University empowers working nurses to ascend from LPN to RN seamlessly through tailored full or part-time enrollment. Students master advanced skills in patient assessment, analytics, healthcare policy and nursing leadership through the interactive curriculum.
The University’s teaching model blends self-paced online courses with in-person simulations mimicking real-world clinical environments. Experiential learning is supported by partnerships with elite hospital and health networks across Florida. Rasmussen also assists graduates with job placement – connecting their ambitions to over 5,000 employer partners nationally.
Rasmussen University
Website: www.rasmussen.edu
Contact: (888) 549-6755
5. St. Petersburg College
St. Petersburg College (SPC) provides a cost-effective LPN to ASN bridge enabling career mobility in just 12 months. Students attend convenient daytime, evening or online courses before applying their knowledge across the region’s highest rated health systems and medical institutions.
Over 500 hours of clinical experience empowers trainees to perform nursing functions like medication administration, wound care, IV therapy and discharge planning. Small class cohorts also promote personalized faculty support and career advising services. As the first Florida college delivering nursing education over video teleconferencing, SPC offers cutting-edge flexible learning options.
St. Petersburg College
Website: www.spcollege.edu
Contact: (727) 341-4772
6. College of Central Florida
The College of Central Florida guides LPN students through an accelerated year-long pathway to Registered Nurse practice. The program curriculum blends theoretical coursework on topics like Mental Health, Pediatrics and Obstetric Nursing with over 500 hours of clinical work across Ocala hospitals and clinics.
Skills lab simulations using high-fidelity mannequins prepare students for delivering competent care in fast-paced healthcare environments. College partners like Ocala Regional Medical Center and West Marion Community Hospital often recruit graduates into open nursing roles with competitive salaries following program completion.
College of Central Florida
Website: www.cf.edu
Contact: (352) 873-5800
7. Broward College
Broward College offers a rigorous LPN to RN bridge curriculum through its Coconut Creek Center location. Students enhance their assessment, critical thinking and care coordination abilities via specialized coursework and over 500 clinical practicum hours.
Working nurses can complete program requirements in just 12 months through flexible full or part-time enrollment. Broward College is lauded for its strong industry relationships – major health systems like Memorial Healthcare, Cleveland Clinic Florida and Holy Cross Hospital partner to offer field training and job placement.
Broward College
Website: www.broward.edu
Contact: (954) 201-7494
8. Eastern Florida State College
Licensed practical nurses can transition seamlessly into ADN registered nursing roles through Eastern Florida State College’s pathway. Students develop hands-on abilities across medical-surgical, pediatric, psychiatric and other specialty environments via 500+ hours of clinical rotations.
Eastern Florida State College works extensively with Health First, Steward Health Care, Orlando Health and other elite regional providers to align practicum experiences with job skills demand. The College offers both online and in-person coursework options catering to nurse scheduling needs and location preferences.
Eastern Florida State College
Website: www.easternflorida.edu
Contact: (321) 433-7380
9. State College of Florida
State College of Florida delivers flexible LPN to ASN programming at its Bradenton campus tailored for working professionals. Students acquire 536 hours of supervised clinical experience across renowned institutions like Blake Medical Center, Sarasota Memorial Hospital and Lakewood Ranch Medical Center.
Hybrid online and in-person instruction centered around Evidence-Based Practice prepares trainees to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and transition into advanced healthcare roles. State College’s career center also facilitates graduate job placement through networking events, recruiter introductions and interview preparation.
State College of Florida
Website: www.scf.edu
Contact: (941) 408-1300
10. Polk State College
Polk State College empowers practical nurses to gain RN licensure through its convenient online LPN to ASN pathway. Students access experiential learning across over 200 regional health partners ranging from hospital trauma centers to county health departments.
By leveraging Polk’s strong employer relationships, trainees receive career guidance tailored to local workforce needs from faculty advisors. They also get connected to job vacancies at graduation – in 2022, every ASN program completer had multiple nursing job offers in hospitals, physician practices, long-term care facilities or other settings.
Polk State College
Website: www.polk.edu
Contact: (863) 297-1000
11. Pasco-Hernando State College
Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) welcomes LPNs into an affordable LPN to ASN bridge program offered across two main campuses. Students develop advanced competencies in fields like Adult Health, Mental Health and Pediatric Nursing through 960 hours of medical institution clinical rotations.
Working nurses can complete courses flexibly through online, hybrid or traditional modalities while accessing support services like tutoring, counseling and career guidance. PHSC also provides graduates job search assistance – leveraging relationships with regional providers to match student skills to in-demand roles.
Pasco-Hernando State College
Website: phsc.edu
Contact: (727) 816-3200
12. Hillsborough Community College
Hillsborough Community College (HCC) empowers practical nurses to gain RN licensure rapidly through its Tampa area program. The flexible course of study takes just 12-24 months to complete depending on full or part-time enrollment preferences.
Over 500 hours of supervised clinical rotations foster advanced abilities in areas like Adult Healthcare, Psychiatric Care and Pediatrics. HCC maintains strong employer partnerships locally – Tampa General Hospital, St. Joseph's Hospital and BayCare Health System recruit graduates into nursing jobs through pipeline programs.
Hillsborough Community College
Website: www.hccfl.edu
Contact: (813) 253-7000
13. Daytona State College
Daytona State College offers a dynamic LPN to ASN pathway tailored to working professionals through flexible online and in-person courses. The 12-month curriculum includes nearly 500 hours of experiential learning across hospital, ambulatory care and population health environments.
College partners like Halifax Health, AdventHealth and Aspire Health Partners connect classroom instruction to healthcare delivery realities. Small lab and simulation courses also enable customized coaching and career guidance from nursing faculty and advisors.
Daytona State College
Website: www.daytonastate.edu
Contact: (386) 506-3000
14. Santa Fe College
Santa Fe College provides a high-value LPN to ASN bridge program centered around competency-based instruction. Students gain over 500 clinical hours across major Gainesville institutions like UF Health Shands Hospital, Malcom Randall VA Medical Center and UF Health Pediatric Specialties.
Blended online and in-person courses prepare trainees to demonstrate advanced skills in areas like Clinical Decision Making, Nursing Leadership and Health Assessment. Santa Fe fosters a supportive student culture and offers employment assistance – connecting graduates to open hospital and clinic nursing roles across North Central Florida.
Santa Fe College
Website: www.sfcollege.edu/
Contact: (352) 395-5000
The Case for LPN to RN Career Pathways
I commend the State of Florida for its strong array of LPN to RN bridge programs through public universities/colleges, regional campuses and online. These pathways make career mobility achievable, meeting demand across diverse healthcare settings.
However, many LPNs still face barriers around affordability, scheduling flexibility and employer alignment of skills. As a Higher Education Reform Expert, I urge continued investment into work-integrated programming with wraparound support services.
Through good policy, innovation and public-private coordination, Florida can empower practical nurses to deliver quality care while advancing personally and professionally.
Article by: David Johnson, Higher Education Reform Expert
Bio: David Johnson serves as Director of Workforce Alignment at HealthFuture Foundation. He develops nursing talent pipelines addressing clinical labor shortages across Florida. David earned his Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley analyzing higher education and workforce intersection points.
