GCU’s Accelerated Nursing Program in the Orlando Area
journey today.
If you’re searching for Orlando accelerated nursing programs and are looking to become a registered nurse (RN), Grand Canyon University has an accelerated nursing option for you. At our Orlando (Lake Mary, Florida) ABSN location, you can complete online coursework,2 in-person simulation labs, on-site immersive simulation and clinical rotations from area clinical partnerships in 16 months.1
After completing this program, you will be eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN®) to become a registered nurse.
GCU’s accelerated nursing program in the Orlando area can provide you with the opportunity to earn your nursing degree in just 16 months.1 Completing your degree at GCU allows you to complete online nursing coursework instilled with a Christian worldview,2 teaching you how to integrate Christian principles into your nursing experience to allow for a well-rounded education. You also have the flexibility of three start dates a year, giving you even more opportunity to complete your ABSN program at a time that works best for you.
While completing your ABSN program, you will attend the majority of your clinicals at AdventHealth, GCU’s clinical partner in the Orlando area. AdventHealth is the largest not-for-profit protestant healthcare system in the U.S. with a total of 44 hospitals operating in 10 different states, eight of which are located in central Florida.3
GCU is an institutionally accredited university, earning accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission since 1968. Our accreditation status reflects our desire to provide students with a quality education that can help equip them with the relevant knowledge and skills they need for their desired career path.
For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.
As a prospective ABSN student, it's important to be aware of the financial commitment you have and the additional costs you are responsible for while attending GCU’s Orlando nursing program. To learn more about how much earning your nursing degree may cost, visit our Cost of Attendance page.
With multiple nursing pathways available, GCU’s accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program is designed for individuals who have either a non-nursing degree or for those with transfer credits or no prior coursework.
At GCU, you can complete your undergraduate nursing degree from an institutionally accredited university.4 This means that GCU offers approved curriculums that can provide you with the opportunity to graduate as a career-ready nurse.
Benefits include:
Online Courses
Online nursing coursework presents you with the opportunity to gain a nursing education in a flexible and convenient format.2
Simulation and Skills Labs
Prepare for practical experiences by learning important nursing skills in your in-person immersive simulation and skills labs.
Clinical Experiences
As an ABSN student, you will have the opportunity to work at an Orlando area hospital to begin your professional nursing experience.
Those with a non-nursing degree, transfer credits or without any prior coursework may be eligible for our ABSN program. There are also specific prerequisite courses that must be completed. To learn more about the admission process and to determine your eligibility, fill out the form on this page and a university counselor will be in contact with you.
There is currently a nursing workforce shortage in Florida due to many factors such as non-renewal of licenses, null and void licenses, and retirements. The growth of RN programs has slowed in the state, further adding to the shortage.5
As of May 2022, there were 197,630 RNs in the state of Florida, the third highest in the nation.6 According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there are approximately 24,040 registered nurses in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area.6 Even with this high number, there is still a significant opportunity for new RNs to join the nursing workforce in Florida and work to help close the workforce gap and lessen the shortage.
The annual median salary of these nurses is $80,870, according to the BLS.7 There are over 300 healthcare organizations located in the greater Orlando metro area, employing over 93,000 people annually.8
In May 2023, nurses in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area had a median annual salary of $80,870, according to the BLS.7
605 Crescent Executive Court, Suite 500
Lake Mary, FL 32746
View our Postsecondary State Authorizations and SARA and State Disclosures information for Florida.
Orlando Area Accelerated Nursing Program FAQs
To learn more about attending accelerated BSN programs in the Orlando area, browse through some of our most frequently asked questions.
Earning your BSN through an accelerated nursing program near Orlando can help you begin your nursing career in the Orlando area. In 16 months,1 you can complete online coursework,2 attend labs, immersive simulation and clinicals in the Orlando area, and prepare to take the NCLEX-RN examination to earn your RN license.
If you plan on calling the Orlando area home after earning your nursing degree, you may want to know if there is a substantial nursing scene in the area. There are approximately 24,040 registered nurses in the Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area.6 Nurses in the Orlando area make a median annual median salary of $80,870, according to the BLS.7
Attending an accelerated nursing program near Orlando can provide you with the nursing education you need to get started in the healthcare field, or transition from a different position in healthcare in 16 months.1 If you are looking to transition into the nursing field in a more timely manner, this accelerated option may be ideal for you.
Accelerated nursing programs are designed to educate you to educate and prepare you as a job-ready nurse in a shorter amount of time than a traditional BSN program. Due to this, these programs may be challenging, time-consuming and require dedication to your studies and in-person requirements. If you find yourself struggling in your ABSN program, reach out to your university counselor for direction.
Explore Orlando Attractions and Activities
Attending nursing school in the Orlando area can come with exploring activities and attractions that the area has to offer. From Walt Disney World® Resort to the everglades, the Orlando area has something for everyone. Explore area breweries, take in the nightlife, rent a boat on one of many lakes and enjoy your time earning your BSN degree near Orlando.
Outside of theme parks, Orlando also houses many top national attractions. If you’re an outdoorsy type, you might enjoy visiting Gatorland, Lake Apopoka, or visiting the Central Florida Zoo and Botanical Garden. If you prefer the indoors, there is no shortage of indoor activities to enjoy. ICON Park® houses a collection of top attractions all in one location, including Madame Tussauds Orlando, Sea Life Orlando Aquarium, and The Wheel, a 400-foot attraction offering gorgeous views.9
The city of Lake Mary, just north of Orlando, where you will be attending your in-person immersive simulation and skills labs, has a variety of shopping, hotel and dining options. This fast-growing area is community oriented, providing residents with a friendly, safe environment while still being close to popular Florida destinations.10
If you’re ready to begin your nursing career in the Orlando area, request more information.
- Secondary Applicants must transfer a minimum of 60 of the required 123 credits or have completed a baccalaureate degree which includes nine prerequisite courses/labs and 10 general education courses prior to starting the core nursing courses, which can be completed in as few as 16 months. Direct Entry Applicants that do not transfer 60 credits but meet the minimum requirements can complete these credits through GCU prior to starting the core nursing courses. Depending on the state where student has enrolled or intends to complete the program, student may require additional courses. This may include, but is not limited to, additional general education courses, courses in the major, clinical courses, or a different course sequence. See the University Policy Handbook.
Clinical, practicum and immersion hours completed locally.
- AdventHealth Orlando. (n.d.). A History of Our Facility. Retrieved Sept. 18, 2023.
- For more information on the accreditation of nursing programs and other university approvals, please visit our University Accreditation and Regulations page.
- Ko, N. (2023, Aug. 10). Become an RN in Florida: Requirements, Licensing, and Employment Outlook. NurseJournal. Retrieved Sept. 19, 2023.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022, Registered Nurses. Retrieved Sept. 19, 2023.
- The earnings referenced were reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (“BLS”), Registered Nurses, as of May 2023, retrieved May 17, 2024. Due to COVID-19, data from 2020 to 2023 may be atypical compared to prior years. The pandemic may also impact the predicted future workforce outcomes indicated by the BLS. BLS calculates the median using salaries of workers from across the country and designated areas within the country with varying levels of education and experience and does not reflect the earnings of GCU graduates as registered nurses. It also does not reflect a typical entry-level salary. Median income is the statistical midpoint for the range of salaries in a specific occupation. It represents what you would earn if you were paid more money than half the workers in an occupation, and less than half the workers in an occupation. It may give you a basis to estimate what you might earn at some point if you enter this career. You may also wish to compare median salaries if you are considering more than one career path. Grand Canyon University can make no guarantees on individual graduates’ salaries as the employer the graduate chooses to apply to, and accept employment from, determines salary not only based on education, but also individual characteristics and skills and fit to that organization (among other categories) against a pool of candidates.
- Cause IQ. (n.d.). Orlando Health Organizations. Retrieved Sept. 11, 2023.
- Visit Orlando. (n.d.). Things To Do in Orlando Beyond Theme Parks. Retrieved Sept. 19, 2023.
- Visit Florida. (n.d.). Lake Mary. Retrieved Sept. 11, 2023.