Farrah Allen is no stranger to the world of healthcare. She spent the last 16 years working in the trauma ICU at Lakeland Regional Hospital, taking care of patients as they enter the hospital in their worst moments. But after over a decade as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), Allen knew she was ready for the next steps in her career, so she enrolled in Keiser University Lakeland’s Accelerated Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (ABSN) program.

“I’ve always loved nursing,” Allen said. “It’s my passion. I love taking care of patients and making a difference in the community.”

Allen comes from a family where education has always been at the forefront. Her mother earned two colleges degrees, working as both a teacher and a pharmacist, while her father was once an engineer. Allen knew that Keiser University was the right fit because she took pre-requisite courses at the Lakeland campus and was familiar with the Keiser University education system.

With a family at home, Allen said that Keiser University’s class schedules and empathetic professors helped her succeed as she worked towards a bachelor’s degree.

“I love my instructors. I think that they set you up for success,” she said. “When we’re in the hospital setting, the instructors are very good at guiding us.”

Keiser University’s College of Nursing Accelerated Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (ABSN) is a pre-licensure degree program for those wishing to complete a program of study in professional nursing. At the conclusion of the program, graduates will receive a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing (BSN) and will be eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN licensing exam to become licensed as a Registered Professional Nurse.

After graduating, Allen said that she plans on staying at Lakeland Regional Hospital on the trauma ICU floor.

Keiser University is a private, independent, non-profit university serving nearly 20,000 students at 21 Florida campuses, online, and two international sites. Co-founded in 1977 by Chancellor Arthur Keiser, Ph.D., and Evelyn Keiser, Keiser University currently offers more than 100 degrees from associates to the doctoral level. Keiser University is a designated Hispanic-Serving Institution, a member of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities, and was ranked No. 1 in the U.S.in providing Social Mobility by U.S News and World Report in 2023.