The College of Nursing at St. Petersburg College received a silver award for best nursing college in the Tampa Bay Times’ 2022 “Best of the Best” People’s Choice Awards.
SPC was lauded by Times’ readers in the “Schools” category for its nursing college, a staple in the community for more than 60 years. Voters also named the college as best local college, the third year in a row SPC has received the top spot.
“The recognition is important to the College of Nursing at SPC because our core mission is to offer an affordable, high quality nursing program that empowers students and the local community,” said Dr. Louisana Louis, SPC Dean of the College of Nursing.
Accredited by Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
Earlier this year, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) granted accreditation to the college’s baccalaureate degree program in nursing, which will extend until June 30, 2032. The program first gained accreditation in 2007. This is its second renewal. The CCNE accreditation is a stamp of excellence that means that SPC students are getting a high-quality education that meets the standards for baccalaureate nursing education. It also allows SPC bachelor’s nursing graduates to matriculate into accredited graduate nursing programs throughout the country.
“We are committed to changing lives and helping students move from poverty to prosperity. Our staff, faculty and administrative team provide countless out of classroom hours to ensure every student has the opportunity to succeed,” Louis said.
Innovating to confront Florida’s nursing shortage
With a projected deficit of 59,100 nurses in Florida by 2035, the college’s nursing program is leading the charge to innovate and get more people into the profession. Recently, Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Louis to the Florida Center for Nursing Board of Directors along with nine other nursing leaders. Last year, the college also convened with 50 regional stakeholders to assess problems contributing to the decline in the number of Florida’s nurses. They also brainstormed ideas for on solving those problems.
Another way SPC is working to reduce the state’s nursing shortage is by offering a new evening and weekend track for its associate degree in nursing program. The new schedule is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue a nursing associate degree but are unable to attend classes during weekdays.
To learn more about the SPC College of Nursing, please visit spcollege.edu/nursing.
Chelsie Smith, AS-Dental Hygiene, wrote Dr. Katherine Woods that she took her written certification exam and felt well prepared. She says she is thankful she paid close attention in pathology class and that the course exams were rigorous. Chelsie said, “I know very well that I would not have felt the way I do not had it not been for you. Thank you for being hard, thank you for expecting a lot from us, and thank you for your caliber of education … I’ve passed, and I had every tool necessary to get there. Thank you for what you do, I hope you continue to teach and heighten the standards of dental hygiene.”
