nursing shortage

The Emotional Vaccine program is being offered for free for all current and future nurses in the state.

Amid population growth and a shortfall of doctors and nurses, the Florida Senate is ready to start crafting legislation aimed at expanding access to health care.

Elizabeth Gunn has been a nurse for 40 years. She told lawmakers a story about a patient who recently was threatening his nurses. She said having the bill in place would have helped.“If I can go in and sit down to that individual and say you know there are consequences to this behavior. You have to be in hospital to get your antibiotics. You may not behave that way," Gunn said. "That is assault and if you actually put your hands on her it’s battery,"

In an effort to address the ongoing worker shortage at Florida’s nursing homes, lawmakers are looking into a plan that would let Certified Nursing Assistants get trained as medication aides. Supporters say the plan would free up nurses and create a glide path for CNAs to get more training.

Florida A&M University wants to graduate more nurses. The school is adding three new tracks for students to earn a Master of Science in Nursing. The move comes as Florida faces a severe nursing shortage aggravated by the coronavirus pandemic.

The university announced it will begin accepting students to the College of Nursing three times a year—in the fall, spring and summer. The school has also reduced the GPA and grades needed for acceptance to the bachelor of science in nursing program.

"I think the pandemic highlighted the nurses' value and now we’re asking to be paid that value,” said rally organizer Emily Bloom.

Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday signed 42 bills, including a heavily debated measure that will change staffing standards in nursing homes. The nursing-home industry lobbied for the measure.

After the delta variant caused a surge of coronavirus patients in Florida, health officials say the number of cases is continuing to trend down. But Mary Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, says staffing concerns remain.

USF is now home to the Florida Center for Nursing, where research is conducted on the supply and demand of the nursing field.