Practical Nursing at HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing

Miami, FL · Private for-profit · Certificate · Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants

HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing has a 100% acceptance rate, making it broadly accessible, with a smaller student body of 54 in Miami, FL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,784 place HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing below the $44,151 national median for Practical Nursing — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 18% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Practical Nursing graduates.

Ranked #653 of 703 Practical Nursing programs, HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Five-year earnings of $55,661 show a 75% jump from the $31,784 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

There are 2 registered apprenticeship pathways mapped to Practical Nursing, including Nurse, Licensed Practical (median $62,340/yr). Apprenticeships offer an alternative route that combines paid work with structured training.

59 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
56
Low End
59
Score
59
High End
Earnings $31,784/yr (-28% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (82% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (258,500 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$558K
12.0% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
2 of 2
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$55,661
75% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Practical Nursing graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses $62,340 +2.6% 75%
Nursing assistants $39,530 +2.3% 90%
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses
$62,340
+2.6% growth 75% AI-proof
Nursing assistants
$39,530
+2.3% growth 90% AI-proof

About Practical Nursing Careers

Your career begins on the front lines of patient care as a nursing assistant. In a hospital or long-term care facility, your active days will be spent helping patients with essential tasks like bathing, eating, and moving safely. You’ll be a vital part of the medical team, taking blood pressure and temperature and serving as the eyes and ears for the supervising nurses.

Read the full Practical Nursing career guide →

Compare & Explore

Practical Nursing Overview

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Explore the Degree Alternative

Not sure if a trade program or four-year degree fits better? Compare both paths.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing's Practical Nursing program score?
A score of 59/100 reflects decent absolute metrics, but HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing trails the majority of Practical Nursing programs on relative rankings. Context matters more than the raw number.
How AI-proof is a career in Practical Nursing?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Practical Nursing work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
Is HCA Florida Mercy Hospital School of Practical Nursing a good choice for Practical Nursing despite lower starting pay?
First-year earnings trail the national median, but starting salary isn't the full picture. Regional cost of living, career trajectory, and tuition cost all factor in. Check the five-year earnings data when available.
Are there apprenticeship options for Practical Nursing?
Yes — 2 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Practical Nursing career paths, including Nurse, Licensed Practical. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Is there demand for Practical Nursing workers?
With approximately 258,500 annual openings across mapped careers, Practical Nursing offers a very large employment pool. Physical trades tend to have steady demand driven by infrastructure and construction cycles.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →