By Carlos E. Medina
For Arthur Reid, Florida’s Linking Industry to Nursing Education, or LINE, scholarship means he can pursue a nursing degree at the University of Florida College of Nursing while remaining an active father to his 2-year-old daughter.
“It means a lot to me, especially as a parent. It allows me to focus on school while working minimally and still taking care of the things I need to take care of for my family,” Reid said.
Reid is one of 53 Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing students who received the scholarship as part of the $3.3 million awarded to the college by the state and UF Health this year. Since the program was initiated, the college has received more than $6.3 million in state and UF Health funds, supporting 91 students and key initiatives throughout the college over the last two years.
The state LINE program was created to address the state’s nursing shortage. At the UF College of Nursing, a portion of the funding supports ABSN students who would not qualify for traditional scholarships because they already hold a bachelor’s degree. Without the scholarship, Reid, whose first degree was in physical therapy, would not have been able to return to school.
“My mother, aunt and cousin are all nurses, and they really inspired me,” he said. “I could see myself enjoying the work, so I applied to the ABSN program at UF.”
The Florida Legislature awarded more than $1.6 million to the college this year, and UF Health matched those funds. This year’s funding will also support the college in expanding its student services, including support for student success programs and the Academic-Practice Immersion Program, where students apply academic knowledge in clinical settings.
The funding also supports expanded lab access for students, virtual reality opportunities and equipment upgrades to the college’s simulation centers at the Gainesville and Jacksonville campuses. Additional lab staff will be hired, and faculty recruitment and retention efforts will be undertaken.
Caitlin Cantrell also received a LINE scholarship after earning her first degree in psychology.
“I always knew I wanted to be in the health care profession, but I didn’t quite know where,” Cantrell said. “It wasn’t until my mom was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer that I saw the importance and the need for nurses.”
She was inspired by the nurses who cared for her mother during treatments and hospital stays.
“LINE funding has given me the opportunity to focus on my schoolwork and clinicals instead of the financial burden of going back to school to become a nurse,” she said.
Cantrell’s mother, who continues to receive cancer treatments, encouraged her to return to school.
“She’s so beyond proud of me,” Cantrell said. “I wanted to stay home and care for her, but she insisted I say, ‘Yes.’ I know time is precious, but I’m really happy I did.”
ABSN student Mackenzie Brady said she is especially grateful for the mentorship provided to the LINE scholars through the program.
“Having those monthly meetings with mentors is super awesome. It helps guide me through the program and gives me more insight into what’s expected as a nurse and what I can expect in my future,” said Brady, whose first degree was in exercise science.
Students awarded the scholarships have the opportunity to work part-time as patient care assistants at UF Health during their 15-month program and, upon graduation and licensure, will serve as full-time registered nurses at UF Health for two years.
“This is a tremendous opportunity to help address the critical nursing shortage in our state,” said Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, EMBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, dean of the UF College of Nursing and chief nurse executive for UF Health. “We are grateful to the Legislature, the Board of Governors and UF Health for their partnership in building the nursing workforce of the future.”
For Reid, who hopes to work in the ICU upon graduation, the chance to work at UF Health is an added benefit.
“Being at UF Health means I can learn from some of the best nurses, physicians and health professionals in one of the top hospital systems in the nation,” he said.