Learn About the Florida Nursing Boards
Becoming a nurse is a powerful and rewarding way to touch lives, help people and make a comfortable living all at the same time.
You can become a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Registered Nurse (RN), or Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) with a course of study and the appropriately corresponding licensing examinations.
At HCI, you can enroll in an associate of science or a Bachelor of Science degree program in nursing, both of which are accredited by the state Board of Nursing, a requirement for any further certification. Once this step is completed, you’ll want to apply to the Florida Board of Nursing. Upon review, the Board will provide instructions for the next step: your certification examination.
Applying to Become a Nurse
According to the Florida Board of Nursing, the following steps must be taken by a nurse candidate to apply for licensing by the state after the education program is completed:
1. Application should be submitted to floridanursing.gov, with the corresponding exam fee. Applicants will be able to begin registration with the testing center, Pearson VUE, once that is underway.
2. Applicants should schedule an appointment for an electronic fingerprint scan by Livescan.
3. All application materials are reviewed by an application specialist, and any additional or missing materials or information may be requested to be furnished by the nurse applicant.
4. Once approved, applicants will be directed to schedule the exam with Pearson VUE.
5. Successful completion of the exam will issue the applicant’s initial license within 7-10 days.
The Nursing Exam
The examination, NCLEX, is issued by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. Depending on what type of nursing career you are interested in pursuing, there are exams that differentiate slightly to assess hopeful future nurses. The two practicing nurse’s exams are the NCLEX-RN for registered nurses, and NCLEX-PN for licensed practical nurses. There are also examinations for nursing aides (National Nurse Aide Assessment Program, NNAAP) and medical aide (Medication Aide Certification Examination, MACE).
In its official statement, the Florida Board of Nursing assures that it: “licenses, monitors, disciplines, educates and, when appropriate, rehabilitates its licensees to assure their fitness and competence in providing health care services for the people of Florida. The sole legislative purpose in enacting the Nurse Practice Act is to ensure that every nurse practicing in Florida meets minimum requirements for safe practice.”
