WASHINGTON, AUG. 1, 2007 - "I am pleased that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has selected the University of Florida as a site for the new Nursing Academy," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Ocala). "The VA Nursing Academy is designed to increase the number of highly-trained nurses and to bring more nurses into the VA healthcare system." The VA selected three other sites (San Diego, CA; Salt Lake City, UT; and Fairfield, CT) to join in the program. Added Stearns, "According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, more than 42,000 qualified applicants were turned away from nursing schools last year. This partnership between the VA and these nursing schools will increase the faculty and clinical resources devoted to training nurses. The University of Florida was one of 42 applicants to participate in the program and this selection reflects the school's reputation for excellence in training nurses."