Miami Nursing Jobs, Others Improve

The local economy has been kind to those looking for everything from Miami nursing jobs to hospitality positions to finance roles.

During February, the Miami area's unemployment rate dropped from 12.1 percent to 11.8 percent, after declining from 13.1 percent during January. Despite that most recent decrease, the area's rate was still higher than the national average at the time of 8.9 percent.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Miami-Miami beach-Kendall area employed about 988,000 workers during February, which is up from 980,000 workers during January and a 1 percent increase from last year.

Here's a look at how each industry stacked up over the month and year:

• Mining and logging - Remained steady over the month and year with 300 employees.
• Construction - Added 900 jobs over the month, but decreased by 3.4 percent over the year, for a total of 31,200 workers.
• Manufacturing - Added 100 jobs over the month, but dropped by 3.1 percent over the year to 34,400 employees.
• Trade, transportation, and utilities - Added 600 jobs over the month and increased by 1.4 percent over the year to 248,800 workers.
• Information - Added 100 jobs over the month, but declined by 2.8 percent over the year, for a total of 17,400 jobs.
• Financial activities - Added 600 jobs over the month and grew by .3 percent over the year to 63,100 workers.
• Professional and business services - Added 1,900 jobs over the month and increased by .5 percent over the year to 130,800 employees.
• Education and health services - Added 1,900 jobs over the month and grew by 2 percent over the year to 161,500 jobs.
• Leisure and hospitality - Added 1,100 jobs over the month and increased by 2.9 percent over the year for a total of 108,400 workers.
• Other services - Added 400 jobs over the month and grew by 1.8 percent over the year to 39,900 employees.
• Government - Added 400 jobs over the month and increased by .7 percent over the year for a total of 152,200 jobs.

Miami Nursing Jobs Training

Those pursuing Miami nursing jobs can get some great training in their own backyard.

While there are several colleges and universities in Miami that offer nursing degrees, Miami Dade College and Florida International University are two of the largest schools. According to an article by Education-Portal.com, both schools offer extensive nursing programs.

Miami Dade College is one of the largest schools in the country and has several campuses throughout the Miami area. Nursing degrees are earned through the School of Nursing, which is located at the college's Medical Center Campus.

Students can earn a Vocational Credit Certificate in Practical Nursing by successfully completing a one-year program that includes courses on the fundamentals of practical nursing, introductory healthcare and patient care. Graduates will be eligible to take the national examination to become a licensed practical nurse.

Students who want to become registered nurses can take the Associate of Science in Nursing program, which is available to beginners or LPNs hoping to advance. There also is an accelerated track for students who already have a bachelor's degree, but want to change to a nursing career.

The curriculum includes introductory and advanced courses in many fields of nursing, including pediatric, surgical, obstetrical and adult health.

Students with an Associate of Science degree and an RN license can take the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Prerequisites include anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology, microbiology and nutrition. Some courses offered include community health nursing, nursing research and professional nursing theory.

Florida International University has the second-highest student population among all schools in Miami and is one of the 25 largest universities in the nation. The school's College of Nursing and Health Sciences offers undergraduate and nursing degree programs.

The four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program allows students to explore the foundations of clinical and professional nursing through classroom instruction and clinical experience. Students can choose a non-RN track, which will prepare them to take the national RN examination, or the RN track, which is for working RNs who want to complete their degree.

There also is a foreign-education physician track designed for students who have received a medical degree outside of the United States, but want to pursue a nursing degree.

The school's Master of Science in Nursing program allows students to choose a specific concentration, which may include adult health nursing, child health nursing, psychiatric nursing or nursing administration. The program focuses on management, research and advanced nursing practices.

Students who complete this program will be eligible for certification in a specialty area of nursing, such as anesthesiology or family health. Graduates can pursue careers as nurse practitioners, nursing administrators, nursing supervisors, healthcare managers or nurse educators.