FSHCC Backs Senate Bill for Private Nursing Program Funding

The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC) has publicly backed the recent Senate bill to provide $500,000 in funding for private colleges providing high-performing nurse programs.

To qualify for the grant, the colleges must be accredited and have achieved a 70% pass rate on the first time licensure exam pass rates.  The fund is in response to the severe shortage of nurses due to the recent COVID-19 Pandemic across the United States.

The FSHCC agrees with the Florida Hospital Association that the state must add 60,000 more nurses by 2035 just to meet projected healthcare needs going forward .

“While Hispanics have powered Florida’s recent growth, the state will only continue to be such a magnet for Latino migration from other states and countries if it can take action now to prepare for the future needs of residents,” said Julio Fuentes, president of the Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. “Our health and wellness must be at the forefront of state leaders’ plans, including ensuring that we have enough medical professionals to take care of all Floridians, today and tomorrow.”

Hispanic students make up 32.5% of the students attending private schools working towards their Bachelor of Science in Nursing, but they have historically received little to no benefits when $79 million went to similar programs in Florida via the Florida legislature, where Hispanic students have little representation.

The Florida State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (FSHCC) actively promotes the economic growth and development of Hispanic entrepreneurs. It represents the interests of over 604,000 Hispanic-owned businesses across the state that together contribute more than $90 billion to Florida’s economy each year.