Florida, often referred to as the “sunshine state” is usually identified as a relaxing destination for vacationers and a restful place to retire. If you are interested in re-locating to a warm state with an abundance of coastline, then a CRNA school in Florida might be the right choice for you.
When choosing a CRNA school there are, of course, more things to consider than simply geographic location; however, those who are looking for a CRNA school or program located specifically in Florida are in luck. Many states have two or three CRNA schools, and some do not have any at all, but Florida has 10 different options to choose from. This may be very important to you as it is well known that CRNA schools can be competitive. Having more options available may allow you more freedom to apply and choose a school that is right for you.
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CRNA Programs in Florida
Applying to one or more of the many CRNA programs located in Florida may feel like a formidable challenge. It is helpful to know some of the things that may be required for application before you begin the process. In general, applicants to CRNA schools may be expected to have the following:
- A BSN Degree in Nursing or another related field
- A current Registered Nurse license
- At least one year of experience as an RN in a critical care environment
- Letters of Recommendation
- A particular GPA and/or scores on the GRE (these requirements can vary between schools)
This is not an exhaustive list, but can help you know if you have met some of the basic requirements before you apply to CRNA schools.
Outlook for CRNAs Jobs Florida?
The Florida Association of Nurse Anesthetists (FANA) states that there are over 3,000 CRNAs practicing in Florida. The region of Florida including Tampa, St. Petersburg, and Clearwater has among the highest employment levels of practicing CRNAs in the nation with about 950 working in that metropolitan location alone (per the Bureau of Labor Statistics). The only metro location with more practicing CRNAs is the Houston region of Texas. The Naples and Marco Island region of Florida has the third highest location quotient of CRNA jobs in the nation, ranking just below Chattanooga, TN and Charleston, WV. The location quotient is a way of measuring how concentrated a particular occupation is in a specific region. This means that there is a higher concentration of practicing CRNAs in this particular region of Florida that in most other places around the country.
Of course, just because there are a lot of CRNAs in those particular locations in the state of Florida does not mean that these are the only places where CRNAs in Florida work. Due to Florida’s generally older population, there are many medical facilities and clinics located all around the state which have need of anesthesia providers. CRNAs have a very versatile profession in that they can practice in so many different locations and on any type of patient for any type of procedure. Because of this, a CRNA in Florida may be employed at any type of medical practice which requires pain management or anesthetics and is not limited to practicing only in a hospital or medical center.
Salary of a CRNA in Florida
While a salary is not the only factor to consider when deciding where to practice as a CRNA, it certainly can be an important element to think about prior to deciding upon this career. The pay for a specific CRNA job varies widely from state to state and even within states between facilities; however, CRNAs are generally considered to be well paid within the profession of advanced practice registered nurses. The average CRNA salary for CRNAs who work in Florida (as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024) is $135,910. The average range for an annual mean wage in Florida is from $54,670 to $144,980. According to these particular calculations, Florida ranks among the states with the lowest salaries for CRNAs including Georgia, Nebraska, Montana, and Kansas.
CRNA Schools in Florida
Below is a listing of schools currently offering CRNA programs in Florida:
Adventist University of Health Sciences Nurse Anesthesia Program
671 Winyah Drive
Orlando, FL 32803
Barry University Master of Science Program in Anesthesiology
421 North 21st Avenue
Hollywood, FL 33020
Florida Gulf Coast University MSN Nurse Anesthesia Program
10501 FGCU Boulevard South
Fort Myers, FL 33965
Florida International University College of Nursing and Health Sciences- Anesthesiology Nursing Program
11200 Southwest 8th Street
Suite ACH3-342
Miami, FL 33199
Florida State University Nurse Anesthesia Program
4750 Collegiate Drive
Panama City, FL 32405
University of Miami School of Nursing Health Studies Nurse Anesthesia Program
PO Box 248153
Coral Gables, FL 33124
University of North Florida Nurse Anesthetist Program
1 UNF Drive
Jacksonville, FL 32224
University of South Florida College of Nursing Nurse Anesthesia Program
12901 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. MDC 22
Tampa, FL 33612
Wolford College Nurse Anesthesia Program
1336 Creekside Blvd
Suite 2
Naples, FL 34108
Texas Wesleyan University- Distance Program (This program is based in Arkansas but requires some time on-campus in Fort Worth, Texas. The location in Florida is in Tallahassee.)
Graduate Programs of Nurse Anesthesia Building
1201 Wesleyan Street
Fort Worth, TX 76105