UF College of Nursing draws record incoming class

When University of Florida classes start Aug. 21, 85 new Bachelor of Science in Nursing students — 60% more than last year — will take their first steps toward becoming nurses.

The 226-student undergraduate class marks the College of Nursing’s largest ever and underscores the college’s impact on the state’s nursing workforce, which has faced shortages since the early 2000s and continues to recover from deep losses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

For Camila Fuentes, who transferred from South Florida to attend the program, it is an opportunity she dreamed about.

“It’s a personal achievement for me, because I visited the University of Florida as part of a STEM class and I knew this is where I wanted to study,” Fuentes said. “Everyone speaks highly of the nursing program. I look forward to taking advantage of this opportunity.”