Over $125 Million for Nursing Education In Florida to Provide Scholarships and Expand Infrastructure at Colleges and Universities
Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced his approval of over $125 million for nursing education for the 2022 – 2023 Fiscal Year, bringing the total amount of investment in workforce education funding to more than $5 billion since 2019. Additional funding for nurses in this year’s budget will include student loan reimbursement and scholarships for nurses, expanding infrastructure at colleges and universities that provide nursing education, and salary and recruitment incentives for nurses within the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“We are investing in quality nursing education to increase the number of programs and jobs that prepare students for careers in nursing,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Florida’s nurses stand ready to serve their communities every day, and we will always recognize the importance of this vocation. There has long been a need for nurses in Florida, especially as our state is growing, and we want to continue to support these front-line heroes.”
“At Orlando Health we are finding patient sitters and nursing assistants who want to move forward to become a nurse but are facing barriers to take that step,” said Shawn Molsberger, President, Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital. “We are happy to work with Seminole State College to provide the flexibility for this personal development. We have had a great partnership with SSC to combat the nursing shortage and support the overall health care of this rapidly growing region.”
Two major programs will lead the funding Governor DeSantis is committing to nurses and nursing student this year, these include:
· $100 million to establish the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) program to financially reward colleges and universities for their nursing education programs, based on student success.
· $25 million to establish the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) fund for schools to recruit faculty and clinical preceptors for their nursing programs, to work toward combating the shortage of nursing instructors, with funds matched dollar-to-dollar by health care partners in their community.
Florida’s major investments for nursing education programs will support those who serve the complex health care needs of our communities. Nurses comprise the nation’s largest health care profession, and in Florida we will always have their backs. To view the National Nurses Month in Florida Proclamation, click here.
Governor DeSantis continues to award funding to Florida’s great workforce education programs. With this announcement, the administration has contributed more than $5 billion to workforce education, making it easier for Floridians to start their careers and for supporting institutions that train these talented individuals.
