Tampa’s newest nursing school opens, helping to stem national and local shortfall

A recent ribbon cutting ceremony heralded the opening of AdventHealth University Tampa, the region’s newest nursing school. Education and health care leaders from around the state toured AdventHealth University Tampa’s new instructional spaces, state-of-the-art simulation equipment and birthing suites; talked with nursing faculty; and learned about the new Dedicated Education Unit at AdventHealth Tampa.

AdventHealth University Tampa is an extension of AdventHealth University, a private Christian university headquartered in Orlando. Classes will begin in January for students earning their Associate of Science in Nursing degree.

“This is a historic day for AdventHealth University, AdventHealth, and the Tampa Bay community as we develop the next generation of nurses who will practice health care as a ministry,” said C. Josef Ghosn, EdD, FACHE, president and CEO of AdventHealth University. “AdventHealth University Tampa boldly exemplifies our commitment to play a vital role in the nursing workforce pipeline, and we are thrilled to join with our outstanding administrators and faculty to begin this new adventure.”

Located at 14055 Riveredge Drive, AdventHealth University Tampa will bring 28 faculty and support staff jobs to the Tampa Bay area in its first year.

According to the Florida Hospital Association, the state faces a nursing shortage of 59,000 nurses by 2035 if innovative solutions, including providing more ways for youth and adults to become nurses, are not swiftly implemented. AdventHealth University Tampa is committed to helping stem the national and local nursing shortfall.

“AdventHealth is thrilled to expand access to its own university, providing education in compassionate, whole-person care right here in our community,” said David Ottati, president and CEO of AdventHealth’s West Florida Division. “With more than 25 specialized certificates and the addition of this Nursing program in Tampa, AdventHealth University is creating valuable opportunities for our team members to enhance their skills while working within AdventHealth. This investment helps us ‘grow our own’ workforce and train highly skilled professionals to better support our communities.”

Among the collaborations between AdventHealth and AdventHealth University is development of a Dedicated Education Unit at AdventHealth Tampa and creation of the Clinical Scholar role for nurses interested in caring for patients for two shifts each week and serving as a clinical instructor for AdventHealth University for one shift. AdventHealth is also offering a generous Nursing Pathways Scholarship for team member dependents interested in attending AHU.