At the June edition of the University Club of Tampa’s Speaker Series Luncheon, business leaders and civic influencers gathered for what proved to be an eye-opening conversation with Usha Menon, PhD, RN, FAAN, FSBM, senior associate vice president at USF Health and dean of the College of Nursing. Her message was clear: Florida’s support of nursing education is critical to healthcare delivery—and the time for collaborative, community-driven solutions is now.
Dean Menon pulled no punches as she detailed the scope of the state’s nursing crisis. “Florida is on track to face a shortage of more than 59,000 nurses by the year 2035,” she said, citing data that underscores the urgent need for long-term workforce development.
The conversation moved quickly beyond numbers to consequences. Burnout among nurses is surging. Tampa Bay’s rapid population growth is only compounding the issue. According to Dean Menon, we’re not just looking at stressed hospitals—we’re facing the potential for residents to begin relocating simply to access reliable healthcare. “This is not just a health sector issue. This will touch every industry, every business, every community,” she cautioned.
Menon also shined a light on USF’s leadership in addressing the problem. The USF College of Nursing continues to set the bar statewide and nationally. This year, the college graduated nearly 900 new nurses. Its Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) program was ranked No. 1 among Florida’s public universities for the fourth consecutive year and has climbed to No. 23 in the nation, according to U.S. News & World Report.
The college’s commitment to clinical excellence is equally impressive. USF nursing students contribute over 110,000 clinical hours annually through partnerships with more than 1,200 healthcare organizations. With a 97% licensure pass rate, graduates are leaving campus prepared to lead from day one. “We are not just training nurses. We are shaping leaders who can transform care delivery,” Menon noted.
Support systems also remain a top priority. Over $886,000 in scholarships were awarded to 220 students last year, and an additional $184,000 was provided in emergency relief for students navigating housing instability, natural disasters, and food insecurity.
With a current enrollment of 1,782 students, 297 faculty members, and a robust alumni network exceeding 15,000, the USF College of Nursing is mobilizing resources and partnerships to close the care gap. But Dean Menon made it clear: no single institution can solve this crisis alone.
“Innovation, investment, and shared responsibility—these are the pillars of progress,” she concluded. “The USF College of Nursing is doing its part. But we need business leaders, philanthropists, and policymakers to meet us at the table.”
With leaders like Dean Menon steering the conversation, the path forward is clearer than ever.
