Most important takeaways…
- Fort Myers NP salaries exceed both national and local RN averages.
- NP employment is projected to grow 40.1 percent from 2024 to 2034.
- Most programs serve Fort Myers students through online or hybrid formats.
Nurse Practitioner Options in Fort Myers, Florida
Lee Health's continued expansion, combined with a rapidly aging population across Lee and Collier counties, has made nurse practitioners one of the most sought-after credentials in Southwest Florida's healthcare corridor. Yet no university within Fort Myers proper offers a full on-campus NP program, pushing most working RNs toward online and hybrid MSN or DNP tracks. Commutable NP programs in Naples, Tampa NP programs, and Miami NP programs sit within about 100 miles, expanding your options.
That gap between local demand and local supply shapes nearly every decision ahead: which format fits a working nurse's schedule, where clinical preceptors are realistically available, and how licensure and cost pressures interact once you've chosen a program.
Why Fort Myers Is a Growing Market for Nurse Practitioners
Lee Health listed 36 nurse practitioner openings in Fort Myers alone during 20261, signaling just how strong demand has become across Lee County. The Fort Myers-Cape Coral metro remains one of Florida's fastest-growing regions, and that growth translates directly into demand for primary care nurse practitioners, especially among retirees and seasonal residents who rely heavily on the local health system.
Regional Employers Hiring NOW
Lee Health operates four or more hospitals in the area and has been expanding NP staffing across primary care, behavioral health, and advanced practice roles in Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, and Lehigh Acres1. Optum HouseCalls posted an NP position for Lee and Collier counties in 2026, covering Fort Myers and Cape Coral with a $10,000 sign-on bonus for external candidates2. Urgent care is another active channel: MD Now Urgent Care hired urgent care nurse practitioners for Lee County clinics4, while Marathon Health brought on a nurse practitioner in Fort Myers starting June 20263. Specialty practices add to the mix. Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute listed APRN openings for Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Naples5, and a range of GI, urology, women's health, wound care, and home-based employers are competing for NP talent in the region. NCH Healthcare System in Naples and Physicians Regional Medical Center also offer NP roles, and expanding VA outpatient clinics continue to add providers.
Opportunities Across Southwest Florida
Adjacent cities give Fort Myers-based NPs plenty of employment runway. Cape Coral appears frequently as an additional service location for Optum2 and Florida Cancer Specialists5. Naples is home to NCH and Florida Cancer Specialists openings5. Bonita Springs, Lehigh Acres, and Punta Gorda sit well within a reasonable commute and each draw from the same growing retiree and seasonal population, making them natural extensions of the metro's NP job market.
Florida's APRN Practice Rules Are Changing
The state's scope-of-practice landscape has shifted. Recent legislation created a pathway to autonomous practice for eligible APRNs, and local employers are adapting. The details matter for your licensure strategy, so we cover them fully in the licensure section below. For now, know that Fort Myers is not just a place to land a job; it's a market where your practice authority can grow alongside the community, reflecting broader advanced practice nursing trends.
Online, Hybrid, and On-Campus Formats Compared
No university in Fort Myers offers a full nurse practitioner program on its local campus, so most Southwest Florida RNs earn their MSN or DNP through online or hybrid tracks. Regardless of which format you choose, every accredited NP program requires 500 to 720 or more supervised clinical hours, and those hours can almost always be completed at sites in Lee, Collier, or Charlotte counties. The main differences come down to how didactic coursework is delivered, how often you travel, and how long the program takes around a work schedule.
How to Become a Nurse Practitioner in Fort Myers
The path from registered nurse to nurse practitioner in Florida follows a well-defined sequence. Most Fort Myers-area candidates already hold a BSN and RN license, so the journey focuses on gaining clinical experience, completing a graduate program, and earning national certification before applying for Florida APRN licensure. Some direct-entry MSN programs accept non-nurses, but these pathways are less common in the Southwest Florida pipeline.
What NP Programs Near Fort Myers Cost
Public in-state tuition and private-university pricing can look like two different worlds when you start comparing NP programs in Florida available to Fort Myers students. Understanding the full financial picture, not just the sticker price, helps you make a decision that supports both your career goals and your budget.
The Price Spread Across Programs
Among the programs serving Fort Myers-area nurses, total tuition ranges dramatically. At the lower end, Florida Atlantic University's hybrid FNP program runs roughly $6,700 in-state for tuition alone, while Florida Gulf Coast University's BSN-to-DNP track, right in Fort Myers, lists in-state tuition near $8,960. On the other end of the spectrum, private options like Nova Southeastern University and Keiser University carry tuition figures above $24,800 and $36,200 respectively. The effective net price (what students actually pay after grants and institutional aid) can narrow the gap somewhat. For example, FAU's effective net price sits around $8,750, while Keiser's lands near $30,500. That spread of roughly $22,000 between the most affordable and most expensive options is significant, especially when you are still working as an RN and managing household expenses.
What Graduates Actually Owe
Median debt at completion paints a clearer picture than tuition alone. Among the ranked programs with available data, median graduate debt ranges from about $16,500 at FIU to roughly $27,550 at Florida National University. For a middle-of-the-road figure, FAU graduates carry a median debt near $17,240. Translated into monthly payments on a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to roughly the mid-to-upper $100s per month. At the higher end, graduates from South University's online MSN could see monthly payments closer to $260 or more. Before you commit, run your own numbers using a federal loan repayment calculator so you know exactly what your monthly obligation will look like alongside your new NP salary.
Beyond Tuition: Hidden Costs That Add Up
Tuition is only part of the equation. Fort Myers students should also factor in:
- Clinical travel: If your program places you at sites across Lee or Collier counties, or even further into the Miami metro, gas and lodging costs can accumulate over 500 to 1,000 clinical hours.
- Technology and lab fees: Many hybrid and online programs charge per-semester technology fees that do not appear in base tuition figures.
- Opportunity cost: A part-time program may take three years instead of two, but it lets you keep earning a full-time RN salary. A full-time track finishes sooner yet may require you to reduce your work hours, cutting into your income during the program.
- Certification exam fees: Budget an additional $300 to $400 for the ANCC or AANP certification exam after graduation.
Comparing total cost of attendance across two or three programs, rather than glancing only at per-credit rates, gives you the most honest view of what your NP education will actually cost.
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NP Specialties You Can Pursue From Southwest Florida
What nurse practitioner specialties can you actually complete while living and working in Southwest Florida? Most online NP programs give you access to the full set of nationally recognized population foci, and your choice will directly shape where you can practice after graduation. The programs available to Fort Myers-area students mirror what you would find anywhere in the country, but local hiring patterns make a few tracks stand out.
Population Focuses and Where They Lead
The major NP specialty tracks each center on a defined patient group. Understanding the typical scope and practice setting helps you narrow the path early.
- Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP): Cares for patients across the lifespan, from newborns to older adults. Most FNPs work in outpatient primary care, retail clinics, or community health centers, where they manage acute visits, chronic disease, and preventive care.
- Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP): Focuses on mental health assessment, diagnosis, and medication management. Common settings include behavioral health clinics, telehealth platforms, substance abuse programs, and inpatient psychiatric units.
- Adult-Gerontology Nurse Practitioner (AGNP): Concentrates on adolescents through end of life. A primary care AGNP often works in internal medicine offices, long-term care facilities, or home-based primary care. The acute care version (AGACNP) is hospital-focused and typically requires on-site clinical rotations in intensive care or specialty units.
- Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP): Serves infants, children, and adolescents. PNPs are found in pediatric offices, school-based health centers, and children's hospitals. Like the adult track, a PNP can train in primary or acute care.
- Women's Health Nurse Practitioner (WHNP): Provides gynecologic, reproductive, and prenatal care, often working inside OB/GYN practices, family planning clinics, or maternal-fetal medicine teams.
Online graduate programs available to Fort Myers residents typically offer at least the FNP and PMHNP routes. Programs with larger national footprints may also include AGNP, PNP, and WHNP tracks without requiring relocation.
Local Demand: Where the Jobs Are
In Lee and Collier counties, two specialties consistently rank as most in demand. Family nurse practitioners fill a deep primary care gap. As the population grows, especially among retirees and young families, outpatient clinics actively recruit FNPs to handle routine visits and chronic disease management. The versatility of the FNP role also means you can move between internal medicine, urgent care, and employer-sponsored clinics without additional certification.
Psychiatric mental health nurse practitioners are the second high-need group. Southwest Florida has a well-documented shortage of behavioral health providers. Community mental health centers, telehealth groups, and large health systems are all competing for PMHNPs who can manage medication and therapy for conditions like depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders. A PMHNP credential, one of the highest paid nurse practitioner specialties, often commands a premium salary in the Fort Myers-Cape Coral metro for this reason.
Adding a Second Specialty Without a Full Degree
If you earn one NP certification and later want to expand into another population focus, many online schools offer post master's certificate programs. These abbreviated pathways let you add a specialty like PMHNP or AGNP in roughly 12 to 18 months of part-time coursework plus clinical hours. For a working NP in the Fort Myers area, this can be a practical way to pivot toward the highest-demand roles without repeating a full MSN or DNP.
Matching Your Specialty to Fort Myers Employment Realities
In a smaller metro like Fort Myers, the broadest clinical scope generally translates to the most job options. Family nurse practitioner is the safest bet for a new graduate who wants to keep multiple doors open. It qualifies you to see patients of any age in settings ranging from private practice to retail health. If you already know you want to work exclusively with children or exclusively in women's health, a PNP or WHNP track makes sense, but openings in those niches are fewer than the steady demand for primary care and mental health providers. Pair your specialty choice with a realistic read on where the local job postings are clustering, and you will graduate with a credential that matches the Southwest Florida market.
Finding Clinical Placements in Lee and Collier Counties
Securing quality clinical preceptors stands as one of the biggest challenges for nurse practitioner students in Southwest Florida, where the healthcare infrastructure is substantial but formal academic partnerships remain limited. Understanding the landscape before you enroll can save months of frustration later.
Major Health Systems in the Region
Lee Health dominates the Fort Myers corridor with facilities spanning Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Lehigh Acres, North Fort Myers, and Bonita Springs. The system actively employs nurse practitioners and welcomes new graduates, which suggests some openness to student rotations, though formal preceptor policies are not publicly documented. In Collier County, NCH Healthcare System and Physicians Regional Medical Center serve as the primary hospital networks, while community health centers like Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida offer primary care experience in underserved settings. VA outpatient clinics in the region may also accept students, though availability varies.
Mayo Clinic Florida offers clinical rotations1 as part of its program, but access is limited to affiliated academic institutions, and availability depends on preceptor schedules. This means your school's existing relationship with Mayo matters more than your individual outreach.
Self-Placement vs. Program-Assisted Placement
Some programs place students directly through established partnerships, while others require you to find preceptors on your own. Florida Atlantic University's clinical placement network focuses on Southeast Florida, covering Miami-Dade through Brevard and Orange counties. Placements outside that geography, including Lee and Collier counties, require faculty discretion and depend on whether clinical instructors can conduct required site visits. Evidence of established clinical partnerships specifically in Lee or Collier counties from programs like FGCU or USF is not readily available, so prospective students should ask directly.
This matters because self-placement in a region without strong program connections can delay your graduation. Ask each program: "What percentage of your current students complete rotations in Lee or Collier County?" A vague answer suggests you will be navigating this largely on your own.
Clinical Hour Requirements
Most MSN nurse practitioner programs require between 500 and 720 direct clinical hours. DNP programs often push past 1,000 hours, meaning you will need multiple preceptors across different settings to complete your training. Planning for this volume in a single geographic area requires foresight.
Practical Tips for Southwest Florida Students
- Start your nurse practitioner networking early: Join Nurse Practitioners of Lee County or similar professional groups before your clinical rotations begin. Relationships built over months are more likely to yield preceptor commitments.
- Contact clinical coordinators first: Before enrolling in any program, speak with their clinical placement team specifically about their track record in Lee and Collier counties. Request contact information for recent graduates who completed rotations locally.
- Consider hybrid approaches: Some students complete specialty rotations in Tampa or Miami while handling primary care hours closer to home. Build this flexibility into your planning.
- Document everything: Keep records of every preceptor conversation, as some placements take six months or more to finalize.
Questions to Ask Yourself
NP Salary and Job Outlook in the Fort Myers, Cape Coral Metro
Nurse practitioners in the Cape Coral and Fort Myers metropolitan area earn well above both the national median and the local RN average, making the NP career path a strong financial investment for Southwest Florida nurses. The metro employs roughly 820 nurse practitioners, a healthy market for a mid-size region. Nationally, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects NP employment to grow around 40 percent through the early 2030s, far outpacing most occupations, and Florida's aging, fast-growing population is expected to push local demand even higher. Below is a snapshot comparing NP compensation in the Fort Myers metro to related advanced healthcare roles in the same area, along with national NP wage benchmarks for context.
| Role (Cape Coral, Fort Myers Metro) | Total Employment | Mean Annual Wage | 25th Percentile | Median Annual Wage | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioners | 820 | $136,210 | $120,160 | $143,670 | $143,670 |
| Registered Nurses | 6,560 | $87,020 | $81,680 | $86,090 | $90,310 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers | 1,040 | $130,190 | $79,160 | $105,380 | $150,700 |
| Nursing Instructors (Postsecondary) | 130 | $86,400 | $62,300 | $79,300 | $105,350 |
| Nurse Practitioners (National) | N/A | N/A | $103,250 | $121,610 | $135,470 |
Florida APRN Licensure and Board Certification
Earning your degree is a major milestone, but you are not legally permitted to practice as a nurse practitioner in Florida until you hold an active APRN license issued by the Florida Board of Nursing. The process is straightforward once you understand each requirement, so let's walk through it step by step.
Initial APRN Licensure Requirements
To apply for an APRN license in Florida, you must meet all of the following criteria:
- Active RN license: You need a current, unencumbered Florida RN license or a multistate compact RN license that covers Florida.
- Graduate degree: You must hold a master's degree or a post-master's certificate from an accredited nursing program in a clinical specialty.
- National certification: You must pass a APRN certification exam in your APRN role and population focus. The two most common certifying bodies for nurse practitioners are the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Board (AANP) and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).
- Fingerprinting and background check: Florida requires electronic fingerprinting as part of your application, processed through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement and the FBI.
Once you submit your application, proof of certification, and fingerprint results to the Board of Nursing, processing times typically run several weeks. Plan accordingly so there is no gap between graduation and your ability to start working.
Nationally reported first-time certification exam pass rates for individual Florida NP programs are not consistently published in a single public source. If comparing schools, contact programs directly and ask for their most recent AANP or ANCC first-time pass rates. Strong programs often post these figures on their websites or in accreditation reports.
The Autonomous Practice Pathway
Florida's autonomous practice framework, codified in section 464.0123 of the Florida Statutes4, allows qualifying APRNs to practice without a physician's written supervisory protocol. To register for autonomous practice, you must meet these conditions:
- Complete at least 3,000 supervised clinical or instructional hours with a physician within the five years immediately before you apply for autonomous registration.1
- Maintain a discipline-free record for the five years preceding your application.
- Complete three graduate semester hours in pharmacology and three graduate semester hours in differential diagnosis within that same five-year window.
If you have not yet met these thresholds, you will practice under a supervisory protocol with a Florida-licensed physician. That written agreement outlines your scope of practice and the physician's oversight responsibilities. Many new graduates in the Fort Myers area begin under this arrangement and transition to autonomous practice once they accumulate the required hours.
Prescriptive Authority and DEA Registration
Regardless of whether you practice autonomously or under a supervisory protocol, prescribing medications requires a separate step. You must register with the Board of Nursing for prescriptive authority before writing any prescriptions.
For controlled substances specifically:
- You must enroll in E-FORCSE, Florida's prescription drug monitoring program, before prescribing Schedule II through V medications.
- You need a federal Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) registration, which is a separate application and fee outside of the state process.
These requirements apply to every prescribing APRN in the state, including those practicing in Lee and Collier counties.2
Keeping Your License Current
Florida APRN licenses renew on a biennial cycle. To renew, you have two pathways:
- Complete roughly 24 to 27 hours of approved nurse practitioner continuing education during the two-year renewal period3, or
- Maintain active national certification in your specialty.
Most nurse practitioners satisfy renewal through their ongoing national certification, which itself requires continuing education. Either way, staying on top of deadlines prevents a lapse that could interrupt your ability to practice and prescribe.
If you are planning your NP career in Fort Myers, understanding these licensure layers early helps you build a realistic timeline from enrollment through independent practice. The Florida Board of Nursing and the Florida Department of Health publish the most current application forms and fee schedules on their websites.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects nurse practitioner employment to grow by 40.1 percent from 2024 to 2034, making it one of the fastest growing occupations in healthcare. For Fort Myers nurses considering advanced practice, this surge signals strong long term career security and expanding opportunities across Southwest Florida and beyond.
NP Programs Available to Fort Myers Students
Below are the top nurse practitioner programs serving Fort Myers students, ranked by accreditation status, completion outcomes, and fit for nurses across Southwest Florida. The list runs from a hometown university with clinical partners across the region to online and hybrid tracks at larger Florida schools, and each entry notes the delivery format, tuition picture, the school's overall graduation rate, and the NP credentials you can enroll in.
Factors considered
- Class sizes and faculty access
- Earnings ten years after entry
- Accreditation and program availability
- Flexible formats for working nurses
- Published tuition and fees
- Program-level records maintained in house
- Independent editorial research
- National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) — nces.ed.gov
- Federal College Scorecard outcomes data — collegescorecard.ed.gov
Florida Gulf Coast University
Florida Gulf Coast University is one of the few NP programs based in Fort Myers itself, and its clinical network reaches across the five-county Southwest Florida region. The BSN to DNP tracks in family and psychiatric-mental health practice total 81 credits, can be finished in three years full time or four years part time, and include more than 1,000 clinical hours with a dedicated clinical coordinator helping arrange placements. Admission calls for a 3.0 GPA and no entrance exam, and the FNP track is supported by a federal grant plus Nurse Faculty Loan Program funding. The school's overall graduation rate is 57%, federal outcomes data put median earnings near $54,560 a decade after entry with median graduate debt around $17,622, and in-state tuition and fees are published at about $6,118 compared with roughly $25,162 for out-of-state students.
- CCNE accredited
- 81 credit hours, roughly three years full time
- Part-time option stretches the program to four years
- More than 1,000 supervised clinical hours
- 3.0 minimum GPA, no entrance exam required
- Clinical coordinator assists with Southwest Florida placements
- $2.7 million federal grant supports the FNP track
- Nurse Faculty Loan Program funding available
- CCNE accredited
- 81 credit hours, fall admission only
- Clinical sites across five Southwest Florida counties
- Prerequisites include health assessment and statistics
- 3.0 minimum GPA, no GRE required
- Full-time and part-time study options
- DNP project and 1,000 practice hours required
- Interview may be required
Family Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, BSN to DNP — Hybrid
Keiser University-Ft Lauderdale
Keiser University runs more than 20 Florida campuses, including one in Fort Myers, and delivers its MSN nurse practitioner tracks online with short eight-week terms and required on-campus residencies. The family nurse practitioner MSN totals 49 credits and typically takes 18 to 24 months, while the women's health track totals 51 credits; both are CCNE accredited and built around one-course-at-a-time scheduling that suits nurses working full shifts. The school's overall graduation rate is 61%, with median earnings for former students near $39,696 ten years after entry and median graduate debt around $26,125. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
- CCNE accredited, 49 credits
- 18 to 24 months across 19 courses
- Online with on-campus residency requirements
- Eight-week course terms
- Offered at Fort Lauderdale and 20+ Florida campuses
- Up to 12 transfer credits accepted
- Prepares for the FNP board certification exam
- One-course-at-a-time scheduling option
- CCNE accredited, 51 credits
- 20 to 30 months, eight-week terms
- Online with three required residencies
- Focus on gynecologic care and pregnancy risk management
- Up to 12 transfer credits accepted
- Pathway to a DNP degree
- Prepares for WHNP certification
MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner — Online
MSN, Women's Health Nurse Practitioner — Online
Florida International University
Florida International University in Miami offers the deepest menu of NP credentials on this list, with MSN, post-graduate certificate, and BSN to DNP pathways in family, adult-gerontology primary care, pediatric primary care, and psychiatric-mental health practice. The certificate tracks are built for nurses who already hold an MSN and want to add a population focus, and most coursework is delivered online with hybrid sessions for the family and psychiatric tracks. Application deadlines vary by track, with fall the most common start. The university's overall graduation rate is 74%, federal data put median earnings near $60,249 a decade after entry with median graduate debt around $16,500, and in-state tuition and fees run about $6,565 compared with roughly $18,964 out of state.
- Hybrid format, 36 credits
- Requires an MSN from an accredited program
- Fall application deadline is March 1
- Prepares for national FNP certification
- Students arrange their own clinical sites
- Designed for working professionals
- Fully online, 32 credits
- Pediatric primary care concentration
- Requires an MSN from an accredited program
- Fall application deadline is March 1
- Students arrange clinical placements, including outside Florida
- Leads to national certification eligibility
- Hybrid format, 35 credits
- Requires an MSN degree
- Psychopharmacology course required
- Fall admission, February 15 deadline for some tracks
- Clinicals in specific Florida regions
- Prepares for national certification
- Online format, 32 credits
- Requires an MSN from an accredited program
- Fall application deadline is March 1
- No campus visits required
- Students identify their own clinical sites
- Prepares for national certification
- CCNE accredited
- Six-semester program, 45 credit hours
- Predominantly online with a fall start
- Cares for adolescents through older adults
- Clinicals may be completed outside the local area
- Option to add a Nurse Educator certificate
- CCNE accredited
- Hybrid format, 45 credits over six semesters
- Fall admission with a March 1 deadline
- Clinical settings include psychiatric clinics and crisis centers
- Dual Nurse Educator option available
- Prepares for state APRN licensure and national certification
- CCNE accredited
- Online with flexible clinical site options
- Pediatric primary care concentration
- Direct BSN-to-DNP pathway
- Application submitted through NursingCAS
- One of four DNP concentration options
- CCNE accredited
- Hybrid format for the FNP track
- Fall and spring start dates
- Primary care across the lifespan
- Clinical placements in ambulatory settings
- Family-centered approach to care
- CCNE accredited
- Online format for the adult-gerontology primary care track
- Fall deadline March 1, spring deadline August 1
- Clinicals may be completed outside traditional areas
- Prepares for national certification
- One of four DNP concentration options
- CCNE accredited
- Hybrid delivery with two start dates per year
- Direct BSN-to-DNP pathway
- Clinical sites in diverse mental health settings
- Graduates eligible for national certification
Family Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Hybrid
Pediatric Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Online
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Hybrid
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Online
MSN, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Online
MSN, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Post-BSN to DNP, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner — Online
Post-BSN to DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Doctor of Nursing Practice, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Online
Post-BSN to DNP, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Florida Atlantic University
Florida Atlantic University spreads its nursing programs across three South Florida campuses and leans toward part-time, hybrid study for nurses who are still working. The family nurse practitioner MSN is a 52-credit part-time hybrid track with 780 clinical hours that takes about two and a half years, and the BSN to DNP options in family, adult-gerontology primary care, and psychiatric-mental health practice run 72 to 77 credits over 11 semesters. No GRE or MAT is required, in-state graduate tuition is listed at $371.81 per credit, and clinical placements are arranged for students in South Florida. The school's overall graduation rate is 63%, with median earnings near $56,746 ten years after entry and median graduate debt around $17,236.
- CCNE accredited, 52 credit hours
- Part-time hybrid format only
- 780 supervised clinical hours
- Completes in about two and a half years
- No GRE or MAT required
- In-state tuition $371.81 per credit hour
- Fall admission only, apply by February 15
- Clinical sites across South Florida
- CCNE accredited, 52 credit hours over eight semesters
- Part-time hybrid with on-campus classes on Thursdays
- 780 clinical hours with placements arranged for students
- No entrance exam required, test optional
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- Offered on three Florida campuses
- Second MSN degree option available
- Fall start with a February 15 deadline
- Online format, 28 credit hours
- 780 clinical practice hours
- Requires a master's degree in nursing
- 3.0 GPA and Florida RN licensure required
- In-state tuition $9,295.25 for the certificate
- Fall admission only, no GRE
- Clinical sites in South Florida
- Eligible for ANCC certification
- Campus-based certificate, limited access
- Requires an MSN and a 3.0 GPA
- Florida RN licensure required
- Resume, essay, and one recommendation required
- Background check and possible interview required
- Advisement meeting required before enrollment
- CCNE accredited, 77 credit hours over 11 semesters
- Hybrid format, classes one weekend per month
- 1,000 clinical hours plus a capstone
- Total program tuition $28,629
- Summer start, apply by January 15
- Clinical placements in South Florida only
- Master's Along the Way option
- Full-time study; working full time is discouraged
- CCNE accredited, 72 credit hours over 11 semesters
- Hybrid format with monthly weekend classes
- 1,000 clinical hours and a capstone project
- Total program tuition $26,770
- Summer start, apply by January 15
- Clinical preceptors arranged by the school
- Cannot switch concentrations after admission
- Annual background check required
- CCNE accredited, 77 credit hours over 11 semesters
- Hybrid with monthly weekend DNP classes
- 1,000 clinical hours plus capstone
- Total program tuition $28,629
- Summer admission, January 15 deadline
- Master's Along the Way option
- Clinical placements in South Florida
Family Nurse Practitioner MSN — Hybrid
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner MSN — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — Online
Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Post-Graduate Certificate — On-Campus
BSN to DNP Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
BSN to DNP Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
BSN to DNP Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Nova Southeastern University
Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale runs one of the largest CCNE-accredited NP portfolios in the state, pairing online coursework with on-campus intensives that can be completed in Palm Beach or Tampa Bay. Master's tracks in family, adult-gerontology acute care, and psychiatric-mental health practice, plus matching BSN to DNP options and postgraduate certificates, include flex scheduling and more than 1,000 clinical hours at the doctoral level. The school's overall graduation rate is 63%, federal data show median earnings near $59,209 a decade after entry and median graduate debt of roughly $24,250. Tuition is the same in state and out of state.
- CCNE accredited, 45 credits
- Hybrid with three on-campus intensives
- Seven semesters, full-time or flex track
- Fall and winter start dates
- NursingCAS application required
- Capstone clinical requirement
- 95 practicum hours per credit
- CCNE accredited, 45 credits over six semesters
- Full-time and part-time options
- Two start dates per year, fall and winter
- On-campus intensives available
- Dedicated faculty adviser assigned
- Bridge option for non-BSN students
- Postgraduate certificate option
- CCNE accredited, 51 credits over seven semesters
- Hybrid with on-site sessions in Miramar or Tampa Bay
- Fall deadline August 1, winter deadline December 19
- Coursework in neurobiology and psychopharmacology
- Prescriptive authority training for APRN practice
- Bridge option for non-BSN holders
- Hybrid postgraduate certificate
- 24 total credits including clinical hours
- Requires an MSN and a 3.0 GPA
- Florida RN licensure and 12 months of clinical practice required
- Residence within 225 miles required
- Prepares for national FNP certification
- Online postgraduate certificate, 27 credits
- Requires an MSN, 3.0 GPA, and Florida RN licensure
- 170 clinical hours per course plus a 255-hour capstone
- Neurobiology and psychopharmacology coursework
- Residence within 225 miles required
- Covers psychotherapy modalities
- Hybrid certificate, 24 credits over four semesters
- On-site sessions at the Palm Beach campus
- Requires an MSN and 12 months of clinical experience
- ACLS certificate required
- 170 practicum and 225 clinical hours
- Residence within 225 miles required
- CCNE accredited, 73 credits
- Two start dates per year, fall and winter
- More than 1,000 clinical hours
- Capstone required
- Online with on-campus intensives in Palm Beach or Tampa Bay
- Blends MSN and DNP coursework
- Optional live Zoom sessions
- CCNE accredited, 73 credits across 23 courses
- Fall and winter start dates
- 1,000 clinical hours plus capstone
- On-campus intensives required
- Integrated MSN and DNP path
- Three doctoral concentrations to choose from
MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
MSN, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
MSN, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
Family Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate — Hybrid
Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate — Online
Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner Postgraduate Certificate — Hybrid
BSN to DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
BSN to DNP, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — Hybrid
St. Thomas University
St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens keeps its NP offerings fully online and unusually compact, with master's tracks in family, adult-gerontology primary care, and psychiatric-mental health practice that can be finished in as little as 18 months. Courses run in six- and seven-week terms with multiple start dates a year, and applicants need a 3.0 GPA plus residency in Florida or Georgia so clinical placements can be arranged locally. Tuition is $605 per credit with no in-state or out-of-state difference. The school's overall graduation rate is 48%, with median earnings near $54,272 ten years after entry and median graduate debt around $19,125.
- CCNE accredited, 47 credits
- 100% online, completable in as few as 18 months
- Total tuition $31,510, or $605 per credit
- 500 clinical hours across four clinical courses
- Six- and seven-week course terms
- 3.0 GPA and active RN license required
- Florida or Georgia residency required for clinicals
- Free application with multiple start dates
- CCNE accredited, 47 credits
- Online, about 18 months
- Total tuition $31,210, or $605 per credit
- Six start dates per year
- Clinical placements in Florida and Georgia
- Thesis required
- Pay by the course, no application fee
- CCNE accredited, 50 credits
- Online, completable in about 18 months
- Total tuition $33,100, or $605 per credit
- 500 clinical hours required
- Six start dates per year
- Coursework in psychopathology and psychopharmacology
- Virtual OSCE access and clinical assistance provided
- Same tuition for in-state and out-of-state students
MSN, Family Nurse Practitioner — Online
MSN, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Online
MSN, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner — Online
Florida National University
Florida National University in Hialeah offers a face-to-face post-graduate certificate for nurses who already hold a master's degree and want to add adult-gerontology acute care practice. The 24-credit certificate includes 500 practicum hours and is taught on campus, with content geared to inpatient, intensive care, and trauma settings. The school's overall graduation rate is 31%, the lowest on this list, and median earnings for former students sit near $33,928 a decade after entry with median graduate debt around $27,554. Tuition is the same for in-state and out-of-state students.
- 24 credit hours
- 500 practicum hours
- Face-to-face instruction on campus in Hialeah
- Focus on inpatient, intensive care, and trauma settings
- Requires a master's degree in nursing and current RN licensure
- Prepares nurses for acute care of adults and older adults
Post-Graduate Certificate, Adult Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner — On-Campus
South University-West Palm Beach
South University's West Palm Beach location delivers its adult-gerontology primary care nurse practitioner MSN entirely online through CCNE-accredited coursework aligned to national NP core competencies. The program is aimed at nurses with clinical experience who want to focus on older adults, and it prepares graduates for ANCC or AANP certification. The school's overall graduation rate is 18%, and federal data show median earnings near $34,421 a decade after entry with median graduate debt around $26,123. Tuition is the same in state and out of state.
- CCNE accredited
- Fully online MSN with a specialization
- Clinical or practicum component required
- Curriculum aligned to national NP core competencies
- Prepares for ANCC or AANP certification
- Rolling admissions with financial aid available
MSN, Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner — Online
Common Questions About NP Programs in Fort Myers
These are some of the questions Fort Myers nurses ask most often when exploring nurse practitioner programs. The answers draw from salary data, program details, and licensure requirements discussed throughout this guide.
- What is the average salary for a nurse practitioner in Fort Myers, Florida?
- Recent estimates place NP salaries in Fort Myers between roughly $109,274 and $123,110 per year, depending on the source and survey date.1 The broader Cape Coral and Fort Myers metro area reports a mean closer to $127,190. Both figures sit above the Florida statewide average of about $119,710, reflecting strong demand in Southwest Florida's growing healthcare market.2
- Which NP programs near Fort Myers are fully online?
- Several universities serve Fort Myers students through fully online MSN tracks and online DNP programs in Florida, though most still require in-person clinical rotations arranged locally. Because program formats change frequently, the most reliable step is to check each school's current catalog or contact admissions directly. The program list earlier in this article notes which options are available online or in a hybrid format.
- How many clinical hours are required for nurse practitioner programs in Florida?
- Clinical hour requirements are set by individual programs and their accrediting bodies rather than by a single statewide rule. Most accredited NP programs require a minimum of 500 direct patient care hours, and many DNP tracks require significantly more. Check the specific program you are considering, because hour totals vary by specialty track and degree level.
- How long does it take to become a nurse practitioner in Florida if you're already an RN?
- For RNs who already hold a BSN, most MSN nurse practitioner programs take about two to three years of full-time study, consistent with the how long NP school takes timeline. Part-time schedules, which are common among working nurses, may extend the timeline to three or four years. DNP programs generally add another year or more. Exact length depends on the program structure and your enrollment pace.
- What are the prerequisites for NP programs in Florida?
- Prerequisites vary by school, but most accredited NP programs require a BSN from an accredited institution, an active and unencumbered RN license, a minimum GPA (often 3.0 or higher), and some amount of clinical nursing experience. Many programs also ask for prerequisite coursework in statistics or health assessment. Contact your target school's admissions office for its specific checklist.
