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

10 members have participated

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!

Thanks for your post. Glad to get your insights. So no papers the first term? How is the paper load?

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

No term papers the first semester in the FNP program.

I have to edit my previous post. I meant to say I have 12 hrs of class & 6 hrs of clinical per week. Not "12 hrs of class and 6 hrs of class per week."

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Hey Stacylee.I have just began a new night job full time 3 days, 12 hours a night. I also applied to the one year family nurse practitioner program at UM. Do you think its doable to work nights three nights a week and complete the one year program? Thanks in advance. Do you know anyone working full time?

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

Hello Msjpurdy:

If you are a good student and can stay organized it's definitely possible for the first semester and probably the second (so long as you don't mind cutting out any type of social life). The third semester however has a required 280 clinical hours, and for our cohort we do this over the summer semester which is only 10 wks. That's about 28 hrs of clinical per week, in addition to the 12 hours of class time. Some people can probably handle working full time but I wouldn't recommend it for the third semester.

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Wow.Thanks for the input and heads up. Would you say they do a weeding out process? Or most of the people whom you start with you have ended with? Teachers are mean or do they work well with the students?I guess it's doable. Well i'm proud of you! Hopefully you finish soon.

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

I wouldn't call it a weeding out process but the first semester is the most difficult...mostly because we have Patho & Pharm. So once you are done with the first semester it is all downhill from there. I have found that professors are quite reasonable at UM.

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I have been accepted to Barry and UM the part time program .I live in north miami. I am conflicted because I don't know which to choose. Both seem so similar.

UM pros: shorter program 1.5-2 years, they choose clinical sites and start in January 2015 which is good for me so that I can catch up on some reading. Cons:Long drive more than two hours back and forth from home(I will be moving to Pembroke Pines soon), HARDER than Barry? And Barry University's pros are: closer distance(15 min from home), starts in August, Easier than UM? Cons would be the program is longer 2.5-3 years, I must choose clinical sites. Both have similar cost $38,000-$40,700 for the entire program.

Can you give me some second eyes as to what I may not be seeing? Maybe there is more to this decision making. Which would you choose if you were in this situation and viewing all pros and cons? Thanks lots in advance for your needed advice.

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

I'd choose UM bc you really only have to go to class 3 nights a week (full time), 2 nights (part time) and you finish sooner. But one major con of UM is coming up with $40k over the course of one year.

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What time does class start and end? Remember I work 3 nights/12 hours each a week.Barry classes are once a week. I guess loans will be the answer for that 40k. Any idea as to which is more rigorous.

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

At UM the graduate classes are in the late afternoons to evenings. I've had classes from 4p-7p and classes as late as 7p-10p.

I don't know which program is more rigorous. I don't know anyone in the Barry program so I can't say.

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Stacylee

Thanks you helped me a lot!!

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Hi.

Thanks for all the discussion on pro's and con's of South Florida Nurse Practitioner Programs.

I have a BA (Bachelors of Arts) in Business at FAU a long time ago..

Recently graduated from MDC ADN program.

I have 2 classmates considering the UM NP program.

I have been trying to gather information to decide which of the South Florida Universities

is the best pathway for me to strive towards.

Attending a university with the option of a part time program or full time programs appeals to me.

If anyone has additional input on this topic/thread, I am eager to listen & learn.

A couple items I am curious about is...

1. Can a student go directly to the NP program without working for a minimum of 1-2 years in a hospital or primary care setting?

2. Do the universities require that a NP student work while attending NP program full-time?

3. What is the application to acceptance ratio for NP programs in South Florida

Thanks.

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