PBSC awarded $74K to support nursing and first-generation students

Palm Beach State College has received a check for $74,931 from the Florida College System Foundation to support nursing and allied health scholarships as well as first-generation scholarships.

Amanda Roden, executive director of the Florida College System Foundation, visited the College to present the check. Of the total amount, $19,727 was designated for nursing and allied health scholarships, through the Florida Blue Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship. First-generation scholarships received $44,449 from the Helios Education Foundation and $10,755 from Bank of America.

“You are part of what makes the state institutions in Florida so strong and I'm so proud of you,” Roden said. “So proud of all of you-- faculty, teachers and present leadership that are doing so much for this community.”

These statewide scholarships aim to address the critical nursing shortage and support students who are the first in their families to attend college.

“We are deeply grateful to the Florida College System Foundation and its partners for their continued investment in our students’ futures. This vital support not only opens doors for individual students but strengthens our community and workforce as a whole,” said Andria Cunningham, chief executive officer of the Foundation for PBSC and vice president of institutional advancement.

“Our nursing program is one of the strongest in the region preparing graduates who are in high demand across our local hospitals and healthcare facilities,” said PBSC President Ava L. Parker, J.D. “We are proud to be a trusted partner in building the nursing workforce that keeps our community healthy.” President Parker also emphasized the College’s commitment to first-generation students, many of whom turn to PBSC seeking opportunities for economic advancement. “When students come to us, they can trust us with their future, trust us with the opportunity and trust us to do what's right,” Parker said.

PBSC has long been Palm Beach County’s largest educator of allied health professionals. More than 900 students are currently enrolled in the Patient Care Assistant (PCA), Practical Nursing (LPN), Registered Nursing (RN) and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs. These programs are closely aligned with labor market needs, preparing graduates for stable, rewarding careers in one of South Florida’s fastest-growing industries.

“The scholarships are important to maintain our goal of training high quality nurses, while we strive to assist not only first-generation students, but students who are unable to satisfy their educational or financial obligations at any given time,” said PBSC Associate Dean of Nursing Carol A. Clarke, Ed.D.

Following the check presentation, PBSC Associate Professor Monica Urresta led a tour of the new Medical Simulation Suite at the Lake Worth campus’ Education and Training Center. The state-of-the-art lab includes eight simulation rooms, such as obstetrics where students use augmented reality goggles to simulate labor and delivery, an intensive care room, trauma treatment room, pediatric simulation room and medical surgical room. Students practice realistic patient care scenarios using advanced mannequins in a safe learning environment. The lab also includes three debriefing rooms where students can reflect and connect theory with clinical judgment.

Since 1999, the Florida College System Foundation has awarded scholarships to students attending the 28 institutions in the Florida College System. Each year, FCSF distributes more than $1.3 million in scholarship funds. Since 2006, PBSC has received over $861,000 in support from FCSF.

To see more photos of the event, view the FCS Check Presentation Flickr album.