Why It Matters
Florida is facing a severe nursing shortage projected to reach nearly 60,000 positions by 2035. Seminole State College in Central Florida has secured $10 million in state funding to expand its nursing program capacity, doubling student enrollment to address the statewide healthcare workforce crisis.
The funding represents one of the largest appropriations to a state college in the region and would support construction of a new workforce training facility at the Altamonte Springs campus.
What Happened
Lawmakers included $10 million for Seminole State College in the state budget expected for a final vote this week. The funds would help finance a nearly 108,000-square-foot building designed to expand nursing and other workforce programs.
Rep. David Smith, a Winter Springs Republican who handled the House funding request, said Seminole State is likely the biggest financial winner in Central Florida for this budget cycle. Sen. Jason Brodeur, a Lake Mary Republican, sponsored the measure in the upper chamber.
The appropriation remains subject to line-item veto by Gov. Ron DeSantis, who must sign the final spending plan.
By The Numbers
The new $60.3 million building would increase student capacity from 4,500 to 9,000. Seminole State has already received approximately $4.4 million in 2023 for pre-construction planning and $10 million in 2025 for the project. AdventHealth committed an additional $5 million toward construction.
Seminole State nursing graduates achieve a nearly 95% first-attempt passage rate on the national registered nurse licensing exam. Florida’s nursing shortage is projected to approach 60,000 positions by 2035.
Zoom Out
The nursing shortage has been complicated by regulatory changes in 2009 that loosened oversight of for-profit nursing schools. Recent investigations found some of these institutions produced poorly trained graduates who struggle to pass licensing exams.
State lawmakers are targeting funding toward established programs with strong track records as a corrective measure. Public colleges like Seminole State typically receive smaller appropriations than four-year universities, making this allocation notable.
What’s Next
Seminole State College President Georgia Lorenz said the Workforce, Science and Technology Center will significantly expand access to healthcare education programs. The school has not set a construction timeline as it seeks additional state funding, grants, and private donations to complete project financing.
The final budget vote is expected Friday. If approved and signed by the governor, the funding would represent the third consecutive year of state investment in the Seminole State nursing expansion.