Demand high for nursing degrees
NEW PORT RICHEY – Pasco-Hernando State College reports strong outcomes for its Nursing and Health Programs in 2024-25, highlighted by exceptional licensure performance and continued enrollment growth.
The associate degree in nursing for registered nurses (ADN-RN) program achieved a 97.27% first-time NCLEX pass rate, above the national average of 90.63%, while the practical nursing program recorded a 100% pass rate.
Enrollment totaled 409 students across PHSC’s core nursing programs, with ADN-RN tracks making up the largest share with 75.8%. Graduation numbers were strong at 195 students.
The new academic year opens with 327 enrolled nursing students.
“At a time when the demand for skilled nurses and health care professionals has never been greater, PHSC is proud to prepare graduates for the field who are not only highly competent but deeply committed to patient care,” President Eric Hall said.
Heritage Arts Center Association receives gift
DADE CITY – The Heritage Arts Center Association has received a $4,000 gift from the Suncoast Credit Union Foundation to fund four $1,000 scholarships to Pasco County seniors.
Two awards will support top performers in the Spotlight on Talent competition. Two Nereim Fine Arts Awards will recognize visual arts students.
The Heritage Arts Center Association was struggling each year to raise money for its goal of giving two $1,000 scholarships for the arts, so the association was thrilled to receive four scholarships.
Suncoast Credit Union founded its foundation to promote the education, health and emotional well-being of children. Each time a Suncoast member uses their debit or credit card, the credit union donates four cents to the foundation to fund local initiatives. The foundation has raised and donated over $55 million since 1990.
“We are pleased to be able to offer these funds to allow talented students to continue their educations and sharpen their skills,” said Jeff Kunberger, executive director of Suncoast Credit Union. “Our mission to serve children enables this gift and doing so through arts education infuses the communities we serve in important and transformative ways.”
Sen. Burgess wants to highlight Washington, Lincoln
ZEPHYRHILLS – Florida Senator Danny Burgess (District 23) filed Senate Bill 420, which directs portraits of American Presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be displayed in select classrooms.
Portraits would go in all classrooms in kindergarten through fifth grade and social studies classrooms in sixth through 12th grades.
“For years, Florida’s classrooms proudly displayed portraits of George Washington, our first president, and Abraham Lincoln, our 16th president,” Burgess wrote in The Burgess Bulletin newsletter. “These portraits weren’t just on display to echo civic lessons to our students; they served as a symbol of the foundation of America and our democracy. However, over time and as classroom designs and curricula evolved, these historic figures were slowly removed from classrooms.”
