Brendan Dwyer is excited to start nursing school.
The archeologist decided it was time for a career change and moved to St. Petersburg from New York to attend Utica College in Pinellas County.
"I needed a career that was going to pay the bills and take me places and allow me to take care of people," said Dwyer. "I love to work with people and take care of people, so nursing seemed like a really good transition."
Dwyer is part of the inaugural class at Utica College -- St. Petersburg.
President of the New York based college, Dr. Todd Hutton says the facility was launched to address the demanding need for nurses.
"Within the next 8 years, 10 years, there will be a shortage of 50,000 nurses in Florida," said Dr. Hutton. "It’s a horrendous problem."
Utica’s Accelerated Second Bachelor’s Degree Nursing Program is designed for students who already hold a bachelor’s degree in something other than nursing.
Dr. Hutton says the program is rigorous.
"Rather than a full two year program in nursing, this program will be 16 months,” said Dr. Hutton.
"It’s a little scary, but at the same time, it’s exciting," said Dwyer.
The program balances online courses with hands-on clinical rotations, both in the clinical skills lab and in area hospitals.
There are nine students in the first class and while they are just getting started, they’re excited to be on the fast track to becoming a nurse.
"Going from zero to hopefully hero in about 16 months was really attractive," said Dwyer.