With the support of the health care industry, UWF has responded to regional needs as the first four-year BSN students graduated in 2005. Currently, the Florida State Board of Nursing allots 40 slots to the UWF nursing program and in 2007 there were 175 applicants for these slots. The need for additional well qualified nurses in Northwest Florida is clear. In 2006, hospitals in the Florida Panhandle reported an 11 percent vacancy rate in the number of nurse staffing.

UWF seeks to double its capacity in the BSN nursing program and establish a master’s degree program in nursing. This expansion will require additional nursing faculty and new program space. Future health care in the region will be further enhanced by partnerships to offer doctoral degrees in key allied health areas on the UWF campus.

Funding Priorities:

• Three additional nursing faculty positions supported by private gifts
• Endowed scholarship support for 20 nursing and pharmacy students
• Funding to construct phase one of a new Allied Health Building to house new master’s and doctoral programs

Impact of Support…by 2010:

• The capacity of the four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has increased from 40 to 90 students.
• Master’s degree programs in nursing are offered to address needs in nursing administration and nursing education.
• Students will be enrolled at UWF in cooperative doctoral programs in critical allied health areas.