The University of South Florida (USF) and Tampa General Hospital announced announced $1,000,000 in funding to expand opportunities for student nurses in Florida. According to an official statement from Tampa General, USF ‘s College of Nursing was awarded to USF through the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund. Additionally, Tampa General matched the state funds with an additional $500,000 invested in nursing education for students at the USF College of Nursing through a 2023 gift to the simulation center.
“We’re on a mission to ensure every Floridian has access to world-class health care, but we cannot fulfill it without highly educated, trained and qualified nurses,” said Tampa General president and CEO John Couris said in a press release. “So, we’re investing in USF Health to create more classrooms, laboratories and training facilities where nurses can gain the best education and participate in learning experiences to fulfill the growing demand in the Sunshine State. We’re grateful to our state leaders for their investment in the LINE program. Together, we have doubled the investment in this region to expand Florida’s nursing workforce and elevate the quality of care across our state.”
On October 30, the Florida Board of Governors voted to award $500,000 to USF College of Nursing.
“Our partnership with Tampa General Hospital through LINE funding represents a significant investment in the future of nursing, further enhancing our collaboration to address critical workforce needs and support the development of highly skilled, practice-ready nurses,” said Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM, senior associate vice president at USF Health and dean of the College of Nursing. “We are deeply grateful for the Legislature’s commitment to nursing education and advancing health care excellence for our community.”
The LINE Fund is a state grant for Florida educational institutions to expand nursing education opportunities. It provides scholarships for eligible students, recruits faculty, purchases equipment, and enhances simulation centers to improve nursing programs.
Tampa General Hospital offers support to students through scholarships for unmet financial needs, application fees for licensure, clinical opportunities, student coaching, and resources for the Simulation Center, which includes virtual reality tools to meet healthcare employer standards.
“LINE funding not only supports existing students but also creates pathways for new students to enter the high-demand field of nursing,” said Wendi Goodson-Celerin, executive vice president and chief nursing executive at Tampa General. “Financial concerns are a major barrier to entry for students across the nation. Florida’s LINE funding takes a great weight off students’ shoulders, inviting talented students to the field, allowing them to focus on their studies and train to become the best health care professionals they can be with access to the world-class tools available through our strategic partnership.”
With LINE funding, the USF College of Nursing plans to graduate over 450 undergraduate nurses and 260 advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) annually by 2028. Strong partnerships with local hospitals will provide clinical training and facilitate employment for new graduates, addressing Florida’s nursing shortage.
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