Students living in Jacksonville can now be part of UF’s accelerated nursing program without traveling to Gainesville.
This year, the UF College of Nursing will extend its accelerated program to UF Health Science Center at UF Health Jacksonville, located at 655 W. 8th St., said Kim Curry, the college’s interim associate dean for student affairs.
Students can apply for the program until Dec. 15, and classes will begin in May. Fifteen months later, they’ll have a baccalaureate degree in nursing and will be eligible to become licensed registered nurses. This is nearly nine months faster than average nursing programs, Curry said.
To be eligible, students must have passed the program’s prerequisites within the past seven years, she said. They’re able to complete them until the program’s start date.
Curry said the degree will cost the same amount as traditional undergraduate tuition.
The program is meant for students who already have a bachelor’s degree but still want to pursue nursing, Curry said.
She said many students showed an interest in joining UF’s program but could not move to Gainesville. With the Jacksonville accelerated program, students will receive the same lessons as their peers in Gainesville.
Twenty-four students will be accepted into the inaugural class. Curry said because of the program’s intensive nature, directors want to make sure everything runs smoothly before accepting more students.
Tori Adams, a nursing student in UF’s accelerated nursing program, said she was doing hospital visits and community service in her first few weeks of the program.
"It’s intense, but it has to be because you’re working with people’s lives." Adams said. "It’s really fast-paced, but I still feel like I’m learning all that I need to."
