a message from dean henderson
Dear Gator Nursing Community,
It is with great pride and excitement that I share Elevate 2029, the University of Florida College of Nursing’s 2025-2029 strategic plan. This plan represents the culmination of months of dedicated collaboration and rigorous analysis, both internally and externally, to chart a course toward making our esteemed college the best in the nation. Since its found in 1956, our college has been a pioneer in nursing, continually expanding the boundaries of the profession. For decades, Gator Nurses have evolved, creating a new nursing professional who champions leadership and emphasizes evidence-based practice and quality health care for all people.
Read her full message here!
mission
vision
care, lead, inspire boldly
The UF College of Nursing ensures that Gator Nurses have the tools they need to care for others, lead the way, and inspire those around them and around the world. Organized around the core tenets of CARE, LEAD, and INSPIRE, the strategic plan will enhance the college’s ability to advance the field of nursing, produce caring, well-prepared nurses and nursing leaders, and find innovative solutions for the field of nursing.
elevate 2029
CARE for people
As nurses, our careers are devoted to caring for our patients.Through the strategic plan, the college broadens the concept of care beyond just caring for patients, extending it to caring for our students, faculty, staff, supporters and partners, and the greater community. We will institute practices and policies that ensure all those who are part of and connected to our college are supported and set up for success.
elevate 2029
LEAD the way
The College of Nursing and its many community members are leaders and pioneers. This plan ensures that the college will lead the way in nursing education innovation, evolving and anticipating future health care and student needs. It empowers our faculty to lead groundbreaking research, take on leadership positions in professional and scholarly organizations, and serve as clinical leaders. This plan is designed to ensure our exceptional students and alumni are practice-ready and poised to meet industry demands. By leveraging advanced technology, they will be prepared to be leaders in our field for years to come.
elevate 2029
INSPIRE the world
Since our founding, the college has inspired nursing professionals and nursing educators to be innovative in our approach to health care delivery, education, and research. This plan will inspire our community of technology-forward care providers and decision-making leaders to catalyze change in practice and leadership that improves care. It will also inspire the broader nursing community in the U.S. and around the world to think creatively about how to tackle the challenges we face in health care in the near and distant future.
our promise
Our people are the cornerstone of our success in research, education, clinical service, and community partnerships. As we pursue our vision and strategic goals, we will ensure that UF College of Nursing students, faculty, and staff, as well as alumni and community members, are supported, empowered, and positioned to thrive.
STUDENTS
Our students contribute uniquely to our academic community. As we grow our reputation as a leading College of Nursing, we remain committed to delivering high-quality nursing education and an exceptional learning experience that leads to academic and professional success. We promise to enhance career support, mentoring opportunities, and clinical preparedness, ensuring a well-rounded academic journey that prioritizes personal, professional, and scholarly growth.
PARTNERS
Collaboration is central to everything we do. We value our relationships with university entities and clinical partners and will continue to strengthen these ties through genuinely collaborative efforts. By working together on interdisciplinary research and learning initiatives, we aim to position the college as a hub for nursing innovation and leadership, fostering a spirit of true partnership with our internal and external collaborators.
COMMUNITY
The UF College of Nursing community extends beyond Gainesville and Jacksonville, encompassing the broader state and region. We commit to using our expertise to promote health and well-being across these areas. We will deliver mutually beneficial programming and collaborative opportunities to provide value and respond to the needs of our community partners, driving positive change both locally and regionally.
FACULTY
Our faculty’s expertise and dedication are the foundation of our educational and research missions. We are committed to creating a supportive, welcoming environment that empowers faculty and fosters their professional growth. By increasing engagement in societies and professional organizations, refining our onboarding process, developing collaborative mentoring opportunities across the college, and expanding our workforce, we will ensure our faculty have what they need to serve as pioneers in our field and continue our legacy of excellence to serve as pioneers in our field and continue our legacy of excellence.
STAFF
Our staff play an essential role in supporting our students and faculty, ensuring operational efficiency and providing empathetic support. We commit to cultivating a fair and open environment where all staff members feel respected and set up for professional success. To achieve a respectful and positive work environment, we must shift our culture and deepen our appreciation and support for staff members. We will also increase access to professional development opportunities and invest in increased administrative support, efficient systems and processes, and professional development opportunities to prioritize staff well-being and success.
ALUMNI
UF College of Nursing alumni are dedicated, caring, and innovative. We will continue to build strong connections with our alumni across the globe, instilling pride in our alumni by increasing the college’s national profile and showcasing the many accomplishments and impacts of alumni and the college. We pledge to create more opportunities for alumni from near and far to stay actively engaged in our mission and expand our tradition of nursing excellence.