Hands-on clinical experiences and access to real-life medical equipment and materials have always been a critical part of the curriculum at the Florida State University College of Nursing.  The practical clinical experience gained is immeasurable and students are prepared to enter the Nursing profession when they graduate. 

But the clinical experiences, simulation labs, science-based textbooks, and travel for clinical rotations require nursing students to incur more expenses than other students on campus.  Medical textbooks are more expensive and students are required to purchase specific scrub uniforms and shoes, a stethoscope, and a blood pressure cuff.  The fees for clinical clearance and background checks, along with the required Kaplan Test Prep and NCLEX review course are not typically required of other college students.  With so much time required in the Simulation and Clinical Skills Labs, Nursing students pay more in lab fees.  The required travel to visit regional health departments, Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville for the pediatric rotation, clinical rotations in behavioral health facilities (in Tallahassee or in Chattahoochee, FL), and the final six-week clinical internship all add up to significant and extra expenses for gas, mileage, food, and lodging.  Other FSU students don’t have to pay out of pocket for these types of equipment or required travel experiences. 

Your gift to support FSU Nursing students would help off-set the following expenses:

• Scrub uniform (top, cargo pants & jacket) - $100
• Clinical clearance & background check - $250
• Skills Lab fees (5 lab classes) - $320
• Kaplan Test Prep and NCLEX review course - $400
• Textbooks - $500/semester (or $2,000+ total)
• Clinical course lab fees (materials/equipment) - $1,600

Attending Nursing school is exciting, rewarding, and challenging - but also expensive.  Students in other majors across campus don’t experience these types of off-campus requirements and extra lab and required equipment expenses.  Your gift will help ease the financial burden student’s face by offsetting the cost of their required supplies, books, equipment, and lab fees.

I have another sister in college and our parents were barely able to make it with us both in school.  My first semester in the Nursing program was a tough time.  After paying for all of the required equipment, textbooks, uniform, and background checks, I hardly had any money left over food and utilities. I was struggling and my first semester was very stressful.  It would mean a lot to me to get some extra financial support so that I can be successful in this program.

                                    ~ Camille L., Junior