Nursing Program Recruitment Reaches Out to the Florida Keys

By Kathryn Podolsky

The University of Central Florida has extended its nursing program down into the Florida Keys, recruiting students from the island of Key West, the southernmost city in the United States.

Glenn Hagerstrom, instructor of nursing, recently visited Florida Keys Community College (FKCC) in Key West to speak to students on professional nursing education and to make them aware of UCF's "virtual" programs.

"We try to go to the rural areas where a state university might not be close," Hagerstrom said. "I feel confident that we will continue to have a regular cohort of students from FKCC every year and that the numbers will increase."

The lecture included a detailed presentation on the College of Health and Public Affairs' Web-based RN-B.S.N. and RN-M.S.N. programs. Three students from the Florida Keys have graduated from the RN-B.S.N. program, a fourth will graduate in May and four new students began the program this semester.

Most of the graduates who are from the Florida Keys are now employed at a facility called the Lower Keys Medical Center, the area's sole hospital care provider. Hagerstrom spoke with nurses there who recognized the University of Central Florida's Pegasus symbol on his recruitment table.

"Nurses in the area are very grateful that UCF's baccalaureate nursing program is extending itself 'down to the Keys,'" Hagerstrom said. "UCF is the only higher education presence south of Miami.

"A lot of nurses want to go back to school and we want to make it as convenient as possible."

The medical center has formed a partnership with FKCC, giving the college money after FKCC received budget cuts. Hagerstrom said collaboration between these two entities and UCF could guarantee a steady stream of students entering the program. He added it would be ideal to offer classes at the medical center with nurses serving as adjunct faculty members.