FNP school recommendations in Miami, FL

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  1. Best FNP school in Miami

    • 23
      Florida International University
    • 43
      University of Miami
    • 16
      Barry University

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Hello All,I've been working for two years now as a pediatric ER nurse and have recently been researching to advance my career as a FNP. I have spoken to a few coworkers who are currently enrolled in the PNP program at Florida International University and they say most of it is online. I am a little hesitant of this as I work better in a classroom setting and prefer the hands on approach. I heard the University of Miami might be more fitting for me because of this. I just want to get the most out of my education. My question is, is it worth it? The FNP program at UM is around $ 36,000 vs FIU's which is approximately $18,000. I don't know much about Barry's FNP program but if any of you can give me your input or any current or past Miami FNP students/ grads can give your opinions, I would very much appreciate it!!Thanks!

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Specializes in FNP, Surgery.

I am a graduate of UM- FNP program. I also have several friends who did the FNP program at FIU and Barry. Put it this way, you get what you pay for. I have not heard anything negative about Barry, but I don't know if they have a full time FNP program yet, it was only a 3 year part time when I was looking for a program. My friend who is still in the 3 year FNP program wished she would have gone full time and finished faster, 3 years has seemed to drag on to her. FIU- my friends were not happy that for every clinical rotation they had to find their own preceptor. Usually that will only be in a private practice office, if you want a preceptor in a hospital or academic setting FIU would have to pay for a contract to send students to that location which they will not do. I don't know exactly what their passing rate is, but 2 out of 3 of my friends failed their FNP boards. UM has a 100% passing rate, which was important to me. We had a huge variety of clinical rotations to choose from, and did not have to find our own preceptor. Yes, it's expensive but it's worth it for the length of the program (11 months), education, and clinical experience. I think everyone in my program received some type of small scholarship for each of the 3 semester. Good luck!!

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You graduated from UM FNP program. I need an honest appraisal of the feasibility of this program. I know UM's reputation is good. But I've heard from a former student who says the program is nearly impossible...that over half of the people who start the FNP program flunk out in the first semester. Is this really true? Or is it just someone saving face who didn't hack it? I'm not afraid of hard work and I'm a good student but I was told that the expectations of the program are ridiculously high and students are set up to fail. I'd appreciate your opinion on this. Thanks.

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I would love to learn more about the UM program as well! Thanks!

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Well I went to Barry and I graduated from their FNP program last July 2012 and let me tell you, I thank the lord for the 3 year track. If it were any other way, we would all fail and a requirment is that you must work or show proof of a job while submiting your application. We were well prepared for boards as we all have passed either the ANCC or the AANp boards. I have a friend of mine who is in the FNP track at UM but PT because she has to work and she loves it. The only difference is that in the Barry tract, you have to find your own preceptors and at UM they find them for you. I was very jealous of my friend for that one but our education was the same. It was so close that we could basically share each other's notes. Barry cost around $36,000 too. I say go and do some research and decide between the two. I have heard that both FNP alumni from either school makes it out very well and prepared. Good luck!

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Specializes in FNP, Surgery.

The UM FNP program is tough. I think they make it that way to ensure their 100% passing rate on the board exam. The first semester is the most difficult and heaviest class workload. It was referred to as the "weed out" semester. Out of 37 students in my program, I believe 4-5 had to switch to the part time program. The 4-5 that failed a class and had to go to the part time program were working full time, some had language barriers that I think made test/power point presentations more difficult for them. The program is not impossible, and I think once you make it through the first semester it gets much better the last two semesters. The faculty is very supportive, and work with the students. I never felt like I was being set up to fail. Example; my first patho test I made an 83, and 84 is passing. I immediately had the professor setting up an appointment with me, as well as two other faculty advisors. They went over my test, study plan, assured me not to stress out, and kept tabs on me the rest of the semester. It was nice to have the extra support. Most students worked part time or per diem as an RN. I would not recommend working full time. If you need to work full time, look into the part time program. The best thing about the UM program for me was the variety of clinical rotations to choose from. I along with several other students knew we didn't just want to have the basic family practice/womens/peds only clinical experience. We were able to branch out into other areas for our clinical rotations, surgery, neurology, infectious disease, ER, dermatology, etc. That was great!

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Alisabeth....thank you for your feedback. I recently got accepted to the acute care NP program. Although they are different programs how did you find the job market once you graduated. The south Florida market can be very hard on new RN graduates how is it for new NP graduates?

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Specializes in FNP, Surgery.

Congratulations on your acceptance! FNP/ACNP were together in some of the same classes, so you will get to know people in both programs. The job market is tough in SoFL, especially if you are not fully fluent in Spanish. However, a lot of my friends in my program were able to find amazing jobs. I don't know how the market is for acute care, or if this would apply to you since hospital employee positions are usually hired through job postings. I found my job by sending out my CV to 20 neurosurgery private practices in SoFl. I had no idea if they were hiring or not. I had an overwhelming response and request for interviews. I ended up having to choose from 3 amazing job offers. I'm not sure what area you are looking to work in acute care, but I know you will have so many opportunities in the setting you choose. Apply early, and be looking online at job postings throughout your program so you know whats out there when you are ready to apply. Good luck in your program!

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I would so love to talk to you about your program experience... class, pace, testing styles, paper writing volume, etc. But UM is such a strong program it is a wise choice you made. And you did it in 1 year! How did you do that? And is it do able (sp) - were you able to breath?? Please give me your wise thoughts :)

Allison, BA, BSN, DC

[email protected]

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So very cool of you to get into your program at UM. How is it going? Are you in the 1 or 2 year track? How is the pace, volume of papers, testing etc...any quick thought would be wonderful, I know you must be very busy.

Allison, BA, BSN, DC

[email protected]

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Well I am currently in my first semester of the Acute care 1 year program. Its intense to say the least. But I love it! The teachers are very supportive and despite it being 1 year you do have plenty of time to study and have a life if you know how to time manage. Exams are fair. And this semester we have no papers. I love it thus far. To think that this time next year I will be done gives me the motivation to keep going!

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Specializes in Med-Surg/Oncology, Women's Health.

I'm doing the one yr FNP at UM and I have to say that the course load is manageable. Not as overwhelming as I thought it would be. I have 12 hrs of class and 6 hrs of class per week, this semester. In the following semesters the clinical hours will be doubled or even tripled. I also feel that although the program is expensive-$40k for the yr, it is worth it because you will begin working faster and start earning some of that money back.

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