FAMU Seeks $375K Grant to Boost Nursing Education with HCA Partnership

FAMU Seeks $375K Grant to Boost Nursing Education with HCA Partnership

Florida A&M University (FAMU) is making strides to enhance nursing education through a new collaborative effort with HCA Florida Healthcare. The university is seeking a $375,000 state grant that aims to bolster nursing programs and address the ongoing nursing shortage in the state. On August 28, the Board of Trustees convened in an emergency meeting and unanimously approved the application for the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund. This initiative is crucial as it aligns educational goals with industry needs, giving students better pathways into the healthcare workforce.

The application for the grant must be submitted to the Florida Board of Governors by September 1. FAMU’s Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost, Allyson Watson, emphasized that receiving the Board of Trustees approval is essential for eligibility in submitting this proposal. The LINE Fund, which originated from the Florida Legislature, fosters collaboration between educational institutions and healthcare partners, addressing pressing workforce demands across the state.

Grant Allocation

If approved, the $375,000 will be allocated in various ways:

• $300,000 for student scholarships through the School of Nursing
• $55,000 for faculty support and development, including mentoring workshops
• $20,000 for student leadership development and attendance at nursing association conferences

This funding will also allow FAMU nursing students access to clinical rotations at HCA Florida Capital Hospital. It’s a win-win situation: students gain real-world experience, while healthcare facilities benefit from a larger pool of qualified graduates.

Interestingly, this is not FAMU’s first foray into nursing education enhancements. The university’s nursing program has demonstrated impressive results, achieving an 82% passage rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) last year and even rising to 93% this year—well above the 75% threshold set by educational standards.

Importance of the LINE Fund

The LINE Fund, established by Senate Bill 2524 in 2022, serves as a competitive grant program designed to encourage collaboration among diverse institutions, including Florida College System (FCS) institutions and independent nonprofit colleges and universities. The objective is clear: tackle Florida’s nursing shortage by enabling viable partnerships between nursing education programs and healthcare providers. Eligible applicants must meet specific performance metrics, including high completion rates for Certified Nursing Assistant programs and first-time passage rates for various nursing qualifications.

As noted by the Florida Department of Education, this program has already proven to be beneficial. Funding from programs like LINE will not only provide scholarships and recruiting support, but also enhance simulation centers and educational technologies necessary for modern nursing training.

Statewide Impacts

Governor Ron DeSantis recently highlighted the state’s nursing education initiatives, which include the LINE Fund among other programs, during a visit to Daytona State College. He announced a whopping $130 million dedicated to these nursing education initiatives within the recently approved Focus on Florida’s Future Budget. This brings total investments in the sector to about $380 million, with over 7,498 students completing nursing programs in the last fiscal year—the highest in three years.

The implications of the state’s investment are profound. Enrollment in Associate of Science in Nursing programs at LINE-funded FCS institutions surged by 25% over the last two years. As the state faces a healthcare crisis, these educational enhancements and funding initiatives aim to create a robust pipeline of qualified nurses ready to serve.

FAMU’s push for the LINE Fund highlights not just institutional ambition, but a broader communal effort to elevate nursing education in Florida. By marrying education with industry needs, FAMU, alongside HCA Florida Healthcare, is carving out a promising path forward in healthcare education. As they prepare to submit their proposal, the hopes are high that this collaboration will yield positive results for students and the healthcare community alike.

For more information on the LINE Fund and its objectives, you can refer to the Florida Department of Education’s official page on the program, accessible here and check the highlights on Governor DeSantis’s initiatives here.