For more than a decade, the state of Florida has been in the throes of a healthcare worker shortage. Thankfully, the deficit is starting to improve. According to the Florida Hospital Association, the reported overall nursing vacancy rate for 2024 was 7.8 %, a drastic drop from the 62% reported in 2022. The association attributes the gains to the efforts hospitals are making through college and regional partnerships.
Even though the shortage is trending in the right direction, the importance of nurses — and all the ways they serve the healthcare community and the public — cannot be emphasized enough. That’s why we dedicate the May edition of Central Florida Health News each year to the celebration of local nurses.
We asked Lakeland Regional Health, Bond Clinic, Watson Clinic, AdventHealth and BayCare to share their prized nurses with us, and they did not disappoint.
Ask just about any nurse why they chose the profession, and you’re bound to hear responses that mention passion, a calling, and dedication. Those themes are reflected as we highlight those working in the heart of healthcare on the following pages.
Inside you’ll also learn what drove Jaronda Terrell to become the first graduate of Webber International University’s nursing program.
On behalf of the Polk County Medical Association, we hope this edition inspires you to thank a nurse!