By Matthew Cimitile, University Communications and Marketing
Florida is projected to face a shortage of nearly 20,000 registered nurses over the next decade, according to the Florida Hospital Association. To address this growing concern locally, the University of South Florida is further expanding nursing education in St. Petersburg.
Starting this fall, the USF College of Nursing is offering a four-year bachelor's degree program on the USF St. Petersburg campus for incoming freshman. The program prepares students to become nurse generalists and to take the National Certification Licensure Exam to become registered nurses.
“We are eager to meet a vital need for our state by offering an academic program that will train students to become frontline workers and care professionals in this critical field,” said Thomas Smith, interim regional chancellor of USF St. Petersburg. “We are also in the ideal location to do so, with healthcare institutions such as Johns Hopkins All Children’s and Orlando Health just steps away from campus that can offer internships and eventually careers for our students.”
Since 2019, USF St. Petersburg has offered an accelerated second-degree program in nursing. Intended for those already with a bachelor’s degree and looking to change careers, students were able to earn a second degree in just 16 months.
Now, a new Freshman Nursing Pathway (FNP) program is allowing as many as 70 students per year to start preparations for a nursing career immediately upon entering their college career. During their first two years, FNP students complete nursing education prerequisite coursework along with general education requirements. Students who meet certain requirements will then automatically continue to the upper division program within the College of Nursing.
“Our College of Nursing continues to look for opportunities to expand nursing education, and this is just one way that USF can address the very real nursing shortage here in Florida and across this country,” said Usha Menon, dean of the USF College of Nursing and senior associate vice president at USF Health. “We’re thrilled to put these students on a nursing path as they begin their college experience, allowing them to get to know the profession and join the workforce as soon as possible."
Students in the program have access to two state-of-the-art nursing simulation laboratories in the Children’s Research Institute on campus. These modern spaces are designed to immerse nursing students in realistic healthcare environments, encouraging hands-on skill development for future nurses to practice care and assessments while refining their clinical judgment.
They feature 10 fully equipped hospital beds where students can practice bedside care, manikins that provide flexible, repeatable training opportunities and a variety of anatomical models for learners to focus on targeted procedures, such as IV insertion, airway management and wound care.
“These spaces are collaborative investments that reflect a shared commitment to advancing nursing education,” Smith said.
Students coming into the nursing bachelor program have the option to be part of a Living Learning Community in Osprey Suites, having access to a dedicated tutor, additional advising and faculty resources, as well as career engagement events while forming bonds with fellow nursing students.
“We are eager to meet a vital need for our state by offering an academic program that will train students to become frontline workers and care professionals in this critical field. We are also in the ideal location to do so, with healthcare institutions such as Johns Hopkins All Children’s and Orlando Health just steps away from campus that can offer internships and eventually careers for our students.”
Thomas Smith, USF St. Petersburg interim regional chancellor
Being next door to healthcare institutions such as Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital and Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital will provide ample learning opportunities for nursing students.
"We are excited to support USF’s brand new nursing program and our industry’s next generation of nursing professionals right here in our backyard,” said Lorraine Parker, chief nursing officer for Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital.
The expansion of nursing education in Tampa Bay is part of a strategic initiative by the USF College of Nursing that includes enhanced facilities and streamlining education to have a greater impact on reversing local and national nursing shortage trends.
On August 14, USF celebrated the opening of a newly expanded and state-of-the-art USF Health College of Nursing facility that will enhance training for nursing students and strengthen the healthcare workforce in Tampa Bay and across Florida.
The three-story, 42,000-square-foot expansion will allow USF to better meet the region’s urgent need for nurses while offering students superior clinical training and hands-on learning opportunities. As part of the expansion, the College of Nursing committed to graduating an additional 500 undergraduate students by 2028 and is on track to exceed that goal.