Florida Gov. DeSantis Announces $130 Million Funding Boost for Nursing Education Programs

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced additional funding to strengthen the state’s nursing workforce during a news conference held at Daytona State College on Tuesday. Joined by Florida Department of Education Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. and State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues, DeSantis outlined the state’s ongoing efforts to enhance nursing education through two key initiatives: the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) Fund and the Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) Fund.

The governor emphasized the critical role these programs play in addressing the growing demand for qualified nurses across Florida. “Florida is tackling the nationwide nursing shortage by making smart investments in workforce and nursing education,” DeSantis stated. “These programs are delivering results, and I fully support their renewal in the upcoming fiscal year.”

As part of his broader goal to make Florida the top state for workforce education by 2030, DeSantis recently allocated $130 million to the PIPELINE and LINE programs under the state’s Focus on Florida’s Future Budget. The funding aims to increase the number of nurses entering the workforce by fostering collaboration between public institutions and private healthcare employers and enhancing the performance of nursing education programs.

Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr. praised the initiatives, noting their tangible impact on nursing education in Florida. “Thanks to Governor DeSantis’ leadership, we are seeing record numbers of enrollees and program completers,” Diaz said. “The PIPELINE and LINE programs have created strong incentives for public-private partnerships, which are key to addressing the state’s healthcare needs.”

According to state data, the 2023-24 fiscal year saw 7,498 nursing program graduates, the highest number in the past three years. Additionally, from 2021 to 2024, enrollment in Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) programs at institutions that received LINE funding increased by 25%, while the number of ASN program graduates rose by 24%.

State University System Chancellor Ray Rodrigues echoed the sentiment, highlighting the importance of these programs in building a robust nursing workforce to meet the demands of Florida’s growing population.

With these initiatives, Florida continues to position itself as a leader in workforce education, particularly in the healthcare sector, ensuring a steady pipeline of qualified nurses to meet future needs.