State-of-the-Art Nursing Facility in Miami Gardens
St. Thomas University is launching a campaign for a new 99,000-square-foot nursing facility in Miami Gardens to combat Florida’s nursing shortage. The project aims to secure $3 million in state funding, providing modern resources to train future healthcare professionals. With an increasing demand for nurses, the new facility will enhance STU’s capacity, which has already grown its nursing program substantially since its inception. Collaborative efforts with Miami Dade College further aim to mitigate workforce challenges in healthcare, indicating a positive trend for nursing in Florida.
In the vibrant city of Miami Gardens, St. Thomas University (STU) is gearing up to tackle a pressing issue that’s affecting Florida’s healthcare landscape – the nursing shortage. With plans to construct a brand-new, 99,000-square-foot facility dedicated to nursing and healthcare professions, the university is stepping up in a big way to ensure that the region has a steady stream of qualified healthcare professionals.
As part of this ambitious project, STU is kicking off a fundraising campaign to gather the necessary funds for the new nursing college building. While a budget has yet to be set, the university aims to secure $3 million in state funding this year. This financial support will be crucial in providing modern facilities that will ultimately benefit nursing students and, by extension, the communities they will serve.
The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated. Florida is currently facing a shortfall of 11,500 registered nurses and 5,600 licensed practical nurses, and the demand continues to grow as the population ages and expands. The new facility is expected to play a vital role in training more nurses and healthcare professionals to address this deficiency.
Since launching its nursing program in 2017 with just 13 students, STU has made significant strides. Today, it serves nearly 1,700 nursing students and has achieved a remarkable 100% passage rate on the Florida nursing license exam this year—way above the state average of 84.9%. With ambitions to increase student enrollment to 2,000 by spring 2026, the demand for the program is evident, and the new facility will enhance the university’s capacity to train more healthcare professionals.
The proposed nursing facility will come equipped with simulation labs, smart classrooms, and skills labs—all designed to provide hands-on, cutting-edge training. These resources are essential for preparing nursing students to meet real-world challenges, ensuring they are well-equipped to enter the workforce after graduation.
As STU approaches its 65th anniversary, the university is not only enhancing its nursing program but also enhancing its overall reputation as the premier Catholic university in the South. On top of this new facility, the university is rolling out an online Doctorate of Nursing Practice (DNP) program this fall to help train future nursing instructors, addressing another layer of the nursing shortage issue.
It’s not just STU that’s taking action. Miami Dade College (MDC) is also working hard to mitigate the nursing shortage. They’re boosting nursing enrollment by 40% through state programs designed to provide financial aid. MDC boasts an impressive pass rate of 84% for its Associate of Nursing program and even higher at 93% for its Bachelor of Nursing program on the NCLEX exam.
MDC is committed to providing hands-on training and has formed strong partnerships with local healthcare providers, such as Jackson Health System and Baptist Health South Florida. These collaborations ensure students receive practical experience in real settings, making them even more prepared for future employment.
Thanks to the ongoing efforts of both STU and MDC, Florida is beginning to see some positive trends. The nursing vacancy rate in the state has dropped from 21% to 13%, placing it below the national average of 16%. With a 38% decrease in nurse turnover and vacancy rates, it appears that concerted efforts are starting to yield results.
While the Florida Center for Nursing projects that the nursing shortage will decrease by 2030, the demand for nurses is expected to rise as the population continues to grow significantly. With new facilities and programs being put in place, the future of nursing in Florida is looking brighter than ever.
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