FIU jumps to No. 54 in U.S. News & World Report’s best graduate nursing programs

The Simulation Teaching And Research Center at the college offers students one of the most technologically innovative advanced healthcare teaching and research facilities in the region.

The Graduate Nursing program at the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences has been ranked No. 54 by the U.S. News & World Report 2016 Best Graduate Schools Guidebook. This marks the highest-ever ranking for the 23-year-old master’s program, and a dramatic rise from its previous ranking.

“The recognition is a testament to the strength of FIU nursing educational programs – our faculty, research and scholarly productivity, and student outcomes,” said Ora L. Strickland, dean of the Nicole Wertheim College of Nursing and Health Sciences.

Strickland also noted the significance of the $10 million naming gift from Dr. Herbert and Nicole Wertheim to establish endowed faculty chairs, student scholarships and incentive programs for faculty recruitment, enhancement and teaching innovation. “All are vital to our mission and to strengthening our standing as a top national academic institution.”

A total of 503 accredited institutions were eligible to be included in the rankings of master’s nursing programs; however, 246 were included in rankings based on a weighted average of 13 indicators. The magazine evaluated a number of criteria for the rankings, including peer assessments, acceptance rates, average GPAs, student/faculty ratio, degrees awarded, NIH- and federally funded research and teaching grants, and enrollment.

“It’s no small feat to achieve this ranking, but it came as no surprise to me,” added Strickland. “Considering the level of commitment and effort put forth by our faculty and leaders to raise and surpass the standards for academic excellence, it’s only fitting we take our place among the nation’s elite nursing programs.”