Northwest Florida State College (NWFSC) has officially opened its new School of Nursing building at the Niceville campus.

The new facility isn’t just a win for Okaloosa County — it’s a resource for our region. Students from Walton County now have access to a cutting-edge nursing program close to home, whether they’re just starting their education or looking to advance in healthcare.

Ribbon-Cutting Celebration
The event drew local officials, alumni, supporters, and community members to tour the facility. During the ribbon-cutting celebration, President Mel Ponder highlighted the broader importance of the new facility, saying it represented “more than bricks and mortar” and called it “a bold investment in the future of healthcare in our region.” Trustee Chair Rhea Goff echoed the sentiment, noting that the building “reflects the incredible caliber and vision of the nursing program” and will open doors for even more students to pursue their dreams.

State-of-the-Art Facility
The 64,000+ square-foot, $34 million building includes:
-Simulation labs and high-fidelity training suites
-Immersive classrooms and VR-enabled learning
-Spaces designed to replicate real hospital environments

Funding came from a combination of $13 million in state education construction funds and a $21.8 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant awarded in 2023.

Preparing Nurses for the Region
NWFSC’s nursing program is already performing at the top of its field, with a 98.65% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024 — well above Florida’s 84.1% average and the national average of 90.6% — and a student retention rate of 94.3%, compared to the state’s 77.2%. With the new facility, the college anticipates doubling enrollment by 2026, opening up even more opportunities for students from Walton County and the surrounding region to train close to home and contribute to their local healthcare communities.

For anyone curious about taking the next step toward a healthcare career, Northwest Florida State College is ready to welcome you.

State-of-the-Art Facility
The 64,000+ square-foot, $34 million building includes:
-Simulation labs and high-fidelity training suites
-Immersive classrooms and VR-enabled learning
-Spaces designed to replicate real hospital environments

Funding came from a combination of $13 million in state education construction funds and a $21.8 million Triumph Gulf Coast grant awarded in 2023.

Preparing Nurses for the Region
NWFSC’s nursing program is already performing at the top of its field, with a 98.65% NCLEX-RN pass rate in 2024 — well above Florida’s 84.1% average and the national average of 90.6% — and a student retention rate of 94.3%, compared to the state’s 77.2%. With the new facility, the college anticipates doubling enrollment by 2026, opening up even more opportunities for students from Walton County and the surrounding region to train close to home and contribute to their local healthcare communities.

For anyone curious about taking the next step toward a healthcare career, Northwest Florida State College is ready to welcome you.