Florida A&M University’s School of Nursing has graduated 26 students with a Master of Science in Nursing, marking the largest cohort of graduate nursing students from the program in recent years. The class is evenly split between Women’s Health Nurse Practitioners and Adult Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioners, two fields that are experiencing notable shortages in Florida and across the United States.
The graduates completed an advanced curriculum focused on evidence-based practice, clinical training, and service to underserved communities. This achievement signals ongoing growth in FAMU’s advanced practice programs and aligns with the university’s efforts to strengthen healthcare workforce pipelines.
Florida is expected to have one of the most severe shortages of primary care providers nationwide over the next decade. A July report from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration projects that by 2035, there will be a shortfall of nearly 18,000 physicians in Florida, with only about 77 percent of demand met. Shortages are especially acute in primary care specialties such as adult gerontology.
“These projections illuminate the essential role advanced practice nurses will play in maintaining access to care,” said Shannon Smith, Ph.D., DNP, dean of FAMU’s School of Nursing. “FAMU’s MSN graduates are prepared to meet critical workforce shortages, particularly in rural and underserved communities where gaps in primary care and maternal health contribute to preventable complications and adverse outcomes for mothers and infants.”
National data also show ongoing gaps in women’s health services. According to a September 2024 March of Dimes report on maternity care deserts, more than one-third of U.S. counties lack adequate maternity care resources. Research from KFF indicates that almost half of U.S. counties do not have a practicing OB-GYN. These shortages impact maternal health outcomes and access to preventative care.
FAMU’s latest group of Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner graduates aims to address these issues by working primarily in underserved or rural areas.
Provost Allyson L. Watson commented on the significance of this graduating class: “These graduates enter the profession prepared to assume advanced clinical roles at a critical moment for healthcare,” Watson said. “Their training reflects the rigor, discipline, and purpose that define FAMU’s approach to graduate education.”
Graduate Katherine Harris noted how her education at FAMU prepared her for both clinical leadership and service: “This program challenged me to grow as both a clinician and a leader,” Harris said. “FAMU prepared me to serve communities that need compassionate, evidence-based care, and I am ready to make a meaningful difference.” Harris plans to work as a nurse practitioner specializing in geriatric care with interests including dermatology, wound care, or diabetic care.
Founded in 1904, FAMU’s School of Nursing was Florida’s first baccalaureate nursing program when it launched in 1936. It remains one of the state’s leading nursing schools while expanding academic pathways into advanced practice roles.
Graduates from this cohort are expected to begin their careers across hospitals, women’s health practices, community clinics, primary care settings, and specialty practices throughout Florida and other states.
For further information about FAMU School of Nursing programs visit nursing.famu.edu.
