Colleges in Florida

Florida, the 'Sunshine State', is the fourth most populous state in the country and a haven for tourists from across the world. Florida also boasts some of the best higher education institutes in the world. Many accredited institutes and schools in Florida offer a number of degree programs that are well acknowledged all over the country and the world. Health care is particularly one of the most thriving sectors in Florida.  According to enterpriseflorida .com, Florida is home to one of the most respected and sophisticated heath care systems in the country. More than 726, 000 health care workers are engaged in a wide range of research and clinical trials in hospitals and research centers.

Nursing degrees are popular choices among students in Florida and many accredited universities offer a host of different nursing degrees. The quickest way to enter the nursing field in Florida is to become a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN). Many universities and colleges offer extensive LPN programs as part of their curriculum, both on campus as well as online.

LPN Eligibility Criteria in Florida
The minimum age requirement to enroll into an accredited LPN programs is usually 18 years in Florida. To be eligible for enrolment in an LPN program, you must have a high school diploma or a GED certificate. Most colleges and universities usually administer an LPN entrance exam for admission into the program. This is a general academic skill test. For more information regarding what the exam may cover, you should check with the school you wish to enroll and its admission requirements and entrance test procedure.

LPN General Curriculum:
While the curriculum for LPN programs usually varies from school to school, a general curriculum for any LPN program may include the following topics:

• Fundamentals of Nursing
• Intro to Pharmacology
• Nutrition and Diet Therapy
• Anatomy/Physiology
• Medical-Surgical Nursing
• Maternal Child Health
• Contemporary Health Issues Vocational Adjustment
• Psychiatric Nursing
• Growth and Development.

Job outlook for Licensed Practical Nurses
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses is expected to grow 25 percent from 2012 to 2022, faster than the average for all occupations. Moreover, with regard to the pay, the median annual wages for LPN's were recorded at $41,540 in May 2012, according to BLS.