Saint Leo University recently celebrated a significant milestone as the first cohort of nursing students graduated from its nursing program, launched in 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The program’s inception came at a time when the healthcare sector was grappling with unprecedented challenges, and the demand for skilled nurses was at an all-time high. Four years later, these graduates are stepping into the workforce with a wealth of practical experience and a sense of fulfillment, marking a pivotal moment for both the university and the nursing community.
Emily Edwards is among those graduates, reflecting on her transformative journey from the uncertainty of the pandemic to the confidence of a nursing professional. “I feel like at that time we were all still kind of in a panic, and I really couldn’t grasp how the world had changed with that,” Edwards shared. Now, as she dons her cap and gown, she says she feels more prepared than she ever imagined, ready to take on the demands of the nursing profession.
Edwards was first interviewed by FOX 13’s Briona Arradondo when she began her journey four years ago. Since then, she has become a symbol of resilience and dedication, embodying the spirit of Saint Leo’s nursing program. Under the guidance of instructors like Paige Porter, who teaches pharmacology, critical care, and nursing transition, Edwards gained valuable insights and hands-on training that she describes as life-changing.
“COVID changed everything, for sure. And one reason that this program was launched was to address the nursing shortage,” said Porter. During the program, Porter emphasized well-being and self-care, recognizing the burnout many nurses experienced during the pandemic. “I always would tell them that you can't pour from an empty cup,” she added, highlighting the importance of mental and emotional health in nursing.
Saint Leo’s program also integrated advanced technological training to prepare students for the evolving healthcare landscape. “I like incorporating AI into familiarizing them with that, of course, using it ethically. But that's becoming more and more predominant in academia and in the healthcare field,” said Porter. This approach ensured that graduates were not only well-versed in traditional nursing practices but also equipped with the skills to navigate modern healthcare systems.
A crucial component of the nursing program was its partnership with AdventHealth Zephyrhills through a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) program. This initiative allowed nursing students to work alongside seasoned nurses, gaining firsthand experience in clinical settings. Edwards emphasized how this practical training shaped her readiness to enter the workforce. “We had so many opportunities to be fully immersed in the clinical experience because what they teach you in nursing school is entirely different from the real world,” she said. “I was pretty much doing 99 percent of what I would be doing as a nurse. I just had someone watching over me.”
For Edwards, nursing has become more than just a career path; it is a calling to provide compassionate care and emotional support to patients during some of their most vulnerable moments. “It’s not just giving meds and seeing patients, but it’s also sitting there for patients when they’re going through the hardest times of their life,” she explained.
Now that she has graduated, Edwards plans to take her board exams in June. Although she is temporarily headed back home up north, she hopes to return to Florida and work in pediatrics. “I’m between a couple of hospitals in Tampa and Sarasota actually, but my dream job is actually to work in pediatrics,” she said.
The launch of Saint Leo’s nursing program not only addressed a critical need for more nurses but also aimed to produce compassionate, skilled professionals who are committed to making a difference. As the inaugural cohort steps into the workforce, they bring with them a blend of academic rigor, practical training, and personal resilience honed over four transformative years.
For future nursing students, the program offers a testament to the value of perseverance and the profound impact that a well-rounded education can have. “It’s not just a shortage of nurses in general, but people who really care about what they do,” Edwards said. “And I kind of hope I can at least fill my little part of the world with that care and compassion.”
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