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Nursing Schools in Miami: Accredited Online & Campus Programs

Whether you’re just starting out on your nursing journey or are ready to take your current nursing career to the next level, discover accredited nursing schools in Miami that fit your budget, schedule, and goals.

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If you’re looking to start a nursing career in Miami, you’re making a smart choice. The state of Florida boasts the third-highest employment level of registered nurses nationwide — and Miami is one of the top 10 metropolitan areas in the country for nurses.

The job outlook isn’t expected to cool anytime soon, either. The demand for full-time RNs is projected to grow 31% by 2035. With an aging population and increased nurse turnover, Miami is ripe with opportunities for current and aspiring nurses. The city also offers a vibrant culture, diverse patient populations, and a plethora of healthcare organizations.

In this guide, we’ll highlight everything you need to know about Miami’s top accredited online and campus nursing programs; break down key courses and requirements; and help prepare you to take the next step in your career. Keep reading to get started.

Inside Popular Miami Nursing Schools: Program Profiles

As a current or prospective nurse looking to continue your education in Miami, you have a wide range of top-rated nursing programs to choose from. We’ve highlighted a few standout programs that offer online nursing degrees to help kick off your search. Take a look at each program’s website to compare details and see which may be the best fit for you.

Best Online Nursing Schools in Miami

Florida International University (FIU)

Florida International University offers a fully online bachelor’s program designed for licensed Registered Nurses. This RN to BSN program will help you advance in your career, expand your patient care skills, and increase your job opportunities.

You can complete this 120-credit program in just 3 semesters, during which time you will take classes in nursing foundations, health assessment, community health, and senior clinical practicum. You can also pick a spring or summer enrollment date.

Finally, you can feel confident in the quality of this program knowing it is approved by the Florida Board of Nursing and fully accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) & the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).

To apply, you must have an unencumbered Florida Registered Nurse License, a 2.75 GPA from an ACEN-accredited program, and, if applicable, transferred coursework.

Keiser University

Keiser University offers a Master of Science in Nursing, Family Nurse Practitioner (MSN FNP) that will prepare you for highly specialized, well-paying nursing roles. This 49-credit degree program can be completed in between 18 and 24 months. In this time, you’ll receive the knowledge and skills you need to pursue the necessary licensure for an FNP career. This program includes topics in advanced nursing and a clinical experience requirement that prepares students to deliver ethically responsive advanced healthcare that is effective, timely, efficient, and equitable.

The nursing school operates with a “students first” philosophy that works to increase access to nursing education for a more diverse student body; prepare students to provide holistic nursing care; and improve individual, community, and global health outcomes.

Miami Dade College

Miami Dade College offers an online asynchronous RN to BSN program through the Benjamin Leon School of Nursing designed to help registered nurses advance their nursing education in a quick and flexible manner. The bridge program can be completed in just 3 semesters.

To accommodate their schedules, the school allows students to choose between a full-time and a part-time pathway. The curriculum is designed to foster cultural competency; facilitate evidence-based practice; promote equitable and inclusive population-specific health outcomes; build a culture of quality and safety; and use information technology to produce effective nurse leaders. This program is praised by alumni for its outstanding nursing education and career services. The Benjamin Leon School of Nursing is also accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

Types of Nursing Programs Available in Miami

Students can find nursing schools in Miami with programs at every level, making it easy to begin or advance your career without leaving the area. No matter if you’re just starting out or looking to reach the top of the field, the programs below will help you accomplish these goals and more. Whether you’re an active nurse or new to the field, Los Angeles nursing schools offer a variety of programs to meet your individual needs and education level. Here are some of the most common options available to prospective nursing students and working nursing professionals.

Pre-Licensure Nursing Programs in Miami

Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)

An associate degree in nursing serves as a significant first step into the world of nursing. Most ADN programs take just two years and are offered at many nursing schools in Miami, including community colleges and vocational schools. Upon completion, you’ll be eligible to take the NCLEX-RN and apply for licensure as a registered nurse.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

Miami Dade College
FVI School of Nursing and Technology

Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing (Traditional BSN)

If you already know you want to work as a registered nurse, completing a traditional BSN allows you to step into more advanced (and often higher paying) roles after just four years of education. These programs include classwork and clinical experience and can be found at public and private nursing schools in Miami.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

University of Miami
Barry University

Accelerated BSN Programs

Career changers looking to enter the nursing field often pursue an accelerated BSN. Designed for those with non-nursing bachelor’s degrees, these programs quickly get students up to speed and ready for life as a registered nurse. Many nursing schools in Miami offer programs that allow you to finish in as few as 12 months.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

Florida International University
University of Miami

Direct-Entry MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)

Direct-entry MSN programs at nursing schools in Miami operate similarly to accelerated BSNs in that they help students with no prior nursing education start their career. By bypassing the BSN and moving straight into a graduate degree, you can work in advanced roles after graduating. Most programs take about three years.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

Miami Regional University
Florida International University

Nursing Bridge Programs in Miami for Current Nurses

LPN to RN and LPN to BSN Programs

If you started your career as a licensed vocational nurse and now want to go to the next level, these bridge programs at nursing schools in Miami can help. The LPN to RN leads to an ADN and takes about a year to complete, while the LPN to BSN leads to a bachelor’s degree and takes approximately two years to complete. You’ll find these programs at many community colleges and four-year nursing schools in Miami.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

South Florida State College
West Coast University

RN to BSN Programs

As an ADN-educated RN, you may be ready to update your credentials to a four-year degree. If so, the RN to BSN bridge program can help you do so in as few as 12 months. Because these programs don’t require any practicums, many nursing schools in Miami offer the degree entirely online.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

Miami Dade College

RN to MSN Programs

If you’d like to bypass the BSN and move straight into an MSN, consider this type of bridge program offered at nursing schools in Miami. The programs usually take 30-36 months, with many offered online. After graduating and meeting state requirements, this degree allows you to work as a nurse practitioner.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

Florida National University
West Coast University

Advanced Nursing Programs in Miami

Traditional MSN Programs (Master of Science in Nursing)

The traditional MSN is an excellent option if you already hold a BSN but want to move into an advanced practice role. Most take two years to complete and offer specializations in nurse-midwifery, nurse leadership, psychiatric mental health, and adult-gerontology.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

University of Miami
Florida International University

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD Doctoral Programs

A DNP can help you work in the most senior-level professional roles in the discipline, while a PhD focuses on building the skills needed to work in research, academics, and policy. Plan to spend about three years enrolled in a DNP program and four to six years enrolled in a PhD program at a Miami nursing school.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

Barry University
University of Miami

Post-Graduate Nursing Certificates

Post-graduate nursing certificates provide an efficient way to build knowledge and skills in specialized areas of advanced nursing topics. Designed for MSN-educated nurses, common specialization areas include emergency nurse practitioner, nursing leadership, and psychiatric mental health.

Examples of Miami Nursing Schools with This Program

Florida International University
Miami Regional University

Inside Popular Miami Nursing Schools: Program Profiles

Not all nursing schools in Miami are created equal, so look carefully to choose a program that works for you now and in the future. To help you, we’re highlighting three additional schools that bring a mix of affordability, flexibility, and state approval.

Florida Atlantic University

Florida Atlantic University (FAU) is home to a range of academic tracks. Boasting a highly competitive traditional BSN program, this rigorous program involves classwork and lab work plus 840 clinical hours in various hospital and community settings. Dedicated to providing effective healthcare to diverse populations, the BSN program at this nursing school in Miami is accredited by the CCNE. All FAU nursing programs are endorsed by the American Holistic Nurses Certification Corporation.

FAU BSN graduates are not only prepared with the personal and professional skills needed for excellent nursing care, but they are also well prepared to pass the NCLEX-RN exam and begin working in the field. FAU graduates had a 95.9% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2020.

FAU offers three options for getting a BSN: enrolling as a freshman, accelerated BSN, and RN to BSN. Students applying to this nursing school in Miami must submit a completed application along with transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a personal essay laying out career goals.

Palm Beach Atlantic University

Palm Beach Atlantic University (PBAU) is a Christian institution that offers students a holistic nursing education, combining opportunity, purpose, and faith with cutting-edge, science-based nursing practice. In addition to an RN to BSN program, PBAU also offers MSN and DNP programs.

Undergraduate students complete 70 hours of general education and lower division nursing coursework, including human anatomy, chemistry, English composition, Bible studies, and intro to professional nursing. Core nursing requirements include community nursing theory, nursing leadership and management, and end-of-life issues and concepts. Students are also required to complete clinical work in various settings, including psychiatric, surgical, and pediatric settings.

RN to BSN applicants must have an associate degree in nursing with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Prospective students are also required to hold a valid Florida nursing license and documentation of one year’s worth of experience in a medical environment. Interested students are also required to submit a 300-word personal statement of career objectives and what they hope to accomplish in the nursing field.

University of Miami

Ready to prepare you for the future, nursing programs at the University of Miami School of Nursing & Health are accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). Whether you’re interested in a bachelor’s degree or a doctorate, this nursing school in Miami has a program for you.

Offering traditional, accelerated, and RN to BSN undergraduate tracks, the University of Miami is home to south Florida’s first baccalaureate nursing program. Upper-level nursing courses include theories and evidence-based practice, psychiatric mental health nursing, and epidemiology for population-based care. In addition to theoretical and lab-based coursework, students also complete at least 16 credits of clinical work.

Freshman applicants for the University of Miami’s undergraduate nursing program must submit SAT/ACT scores along with high school transcripts. Students with fewer than 30 college credits who are interested in transferring to this nursing school in Miami are also required to submit standardized test scores.

FAQs About Online Nursing Schools in Miami

Can I earn my nursing degree in Miami completely online?

Online nursing schools in Miami are becoming more common, but some programs will never be fully online since they require students to participate in a practicum. However some degrees, such as an RN to BSN or MSN, can be completed without visiting campus since they don’t require any in-person learning.

Will my online Miami nursing degree be considered less valuable by employers?

Ultimately, future employers will be most concerned that you hold an active and unencumbered nursing license. To accomplish that, you need to attend a nursing program approved by the state board of nursing and accredited. Your degree won’t even mention whether you attended an in-person or online nursing school in Miami.

Are online nursing programs in Miami more affordable than campus programs?

It’s no secret that living in Miami can be expensive, especially when depending on student accommodations. While tuition may not be cheaper, studying online means you can find an affordable place that doesn’t have to be near your school. You can also save on gas and parking by not traveling to campus multiple times each week.

Financial Aid Opportunities for Nursing Students in Miami

Whether you’re looking for a nursing scholarship to help cover your ADN or your PhD, know that you can find many awards to help lower costs and ensure you don’t graduate with overwhelming debt. Managing financial aid is easier when you can find scholarships and grants. Locally, the Miami Heart Research Institute and the Miami Valley Hospital Foundation both offer awards.

You can also find scholarships through professional associations, hospitals and clinics, colleges and universities, private foundations, and nonprofit groups. Start your search early since scholarships tend to be competitive.

How to Become an RN in Miami: Licensing Requirements

Before you can apply for an RN license in Florida, you need to earn a state-approved and accredited degree. After graduating, you’ll complete an application via the Florida Board of Nursing, pay the $110 fee, and submit fingerprints for a background check. Then, once you pass the NCLEX-RN exam, you’ll receive your license and renew it every two years. Our guide to nursing programs in Florida takes a look at more in-depth licensing requirements.

Job Prospects for Miami RNs

Much like the weather in Miami, the job outlook for nurses in the area is sunny.

Due to a growing population and a large aging demographic nearing retirement, Miami projects robust nursing job growth in coming years — especially compared to northern Florida cities.

Miami could see RN job opportunities expanding at a rate double the state average, with ample openings across hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, and doctor offices.

How Much Can You Make as an RN in Miami?

Registered nurses in Miami have the potential to earn lucrative wages, with the top 10% making over $100k, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The average salary for an RN in Miami is $79,870. If you’re an experienced nurse at a premier hospital or specialized facility, you’re likely to earn among Florida’s highest nursing salaries. Take a look at the latest BLS data to explore more jobs and earnings trends in the area.

Earnings for Registered Nurses in Miami

Area Occupation Median 90th Percentile
Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach Registered Nurses $79,870 $103,020

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2022

Additional Miami Nursing Resources

National Association of Hispanic Nurses (NAHN)–Miami Chapter

NAHN has several chapters throughout the state, including one in Miami that was established in 2012. The group maintains an active Facebook page and provides an annual scholarship.

The Truth About Nursing–Miami Chapter

This advocacy group looks to educate both the public and lawmakers about the important role nurses play in taking care of us. The Miami chapter holds regular meetings for students and licensed nurses.

Black Nurses Association (BNA)Miami Chapter

BNA’s Miami chapter hosts a monthly health lecture series, offers CPR training, and organizes both social and educational events throughout the year to keep members connected and informed.

American Association of Critical Care Nurses (AACN)–Greater Miami Area Chapter

The AACN Greater Miami chapter maintains an active calendar of online and in-person events, posts local job openings, and shares news and announcements for the Miami area.

Oncology Nursing Society (ONS)–Miami-Dade Chapter

Designed to support nurses working in oncology and cancer nursing care, the Miami-Dade chapter of ONS supports members by highlighting local job opportunities, maintaining active discussion boards, and sharing relevant files and resources.