The USF College of Nursing is growing, and so is its impact, with more Bull Nurses heading into the workforce each year. USF St. Petersburg (USFSP) is advancing this mission with a new four-year bachelor鈥檚 degree pathway for nursing students.
In early October, USF College of Nursing invited select local high school students to the St. Peterburg campus for College of Nursing Day. Students toured the scenic waterfront campus, heard from college leadership, and got a first look at the new pathway.
will allow the college to enroll a mininum of 60 students each year, building a new generation of nurses that will help address predicted shortages.
Nearly 100 students from Pinellas County medical magnet programs attended the event at USFSP, where they explored campus life and learned about resources available to USF nursing students.
Highlights of the day included:
- A visit to the Mo-Bull Nurse Medical Clinic, which provides care to communities with fewer resources
- A tour of the Children鈥檚 Research Institute featuring high-fidelity manikins
- A session with advisors who outlined requirements to enter the new pathway
Nurses with decades of experience鈥擴SF College of Nursing faculty and nurses from partner organizations like Empath Health and Orlando Health鈥攚ere on hand at the event to share insights about the realities of nursing and opportunities available for nursing students at USF.
鈥淥ur students continued to talk about the visit on the bus ride home and after returning to class. Several mentioned that this experience has influenced their college preferences, with many now adding USF St. Petersburg to their list of top choices. They were especially excited about the idea of pursuing a high-quality nursing education right here in Pinellas County鈥攃lose to home and with the added benefit of saving money while doing so.鈥�
Staci Fultz, RN
Palm Harbor University High School Center for Wellness and Medical Professions Practical Nursing
To learn more about the four-year BSN pathway at USFSP, click .