There’s a shortage of nurses in the counties surrounding Gulf Coast State College in Panama City, Florida. And this could be good news for students interested in entering the field.
Right now, students can attend nursing school for free, thanks to a partnership between the college and Simply Healthcare. To qualify, prospective students must live in one of the following counties:
- Bay
- Calhoun
- Franklin
- Gulf
- Holmes
- Jackson
- Washington
Students must also maintain a GPA of 3.0 or higher and commit to working as a nurse or health practitioner in the area for at least two years.
GCSC Instructional coordinator John Griggs said the program “is preparing nurses to go into the field to be advanced leaders, educators, and mentors to other nurses in various health care systems. It’s not just hospitals. And research has shown BSN prepared nurses help improve patient outcomes in health care systems.”
The RN to BSN program from Gulf Coast State College is a one-year program accredited by the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education (CCNE). The school is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with opportunities to continue their education in advanced degree programs, including master’s and even doctoral nursing programs.
Students can apply to receive the scholarship through July 17, 2024. Recipients will receive up to $10,000 in funds to cover the cost of tuition.
Florida has one of the largest employment rates for nurses in the country, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Well over 200,000 registered nurses were employed in the state as of May 2023. Jobs for nurses are growing faster than average nationwide.
Source: WJHG— Gulf Coast State College Is Offering Free Tuition for Nursing Program Students
Related: Top 50 Online Colleges for Nursing