Joining the interstate Nurse Licensure Compact probably would not alleviate Florida's long-term nursing shortage but would remove barriers to bringing nurses into the state to meet short-term needs arising from events such as hurricanes and peak visitation seasons. Additionally, joining the compact could provide Florida with faster notification of nurses under investigation, improved access to other states' records, and the opportunity to influence compact policy.
However, joining the compact could increase the number of discipline investigations and state requirements for continuing education, and background checks of nurses would not apply to those working in Florida through the compact, although employers could continue to impose these requirements. Also, consumers would have less ready access to information on compact nurses who could work in Florida.
The Legislature may need to adopt alternate compact language to address public meetings and records access and unlawful delegation of authority issues. The State Board of Nursing would need to educate nurses and employers about the compact and implement additional reporting requirements if Florida were to join. The board projects no significant fiscal impact if Florida took this step.

Supplemental Report: Florida Nursing Education Programs 2012-13
Report 13-09 June 2013
Florida's Nursing Education Programs Continued to Expand in 2012 with Increases in Program Capacity, Student Enrollment, and Graduates
Report 13-03 January 2013
Supplemental Report: Florida Nursing Education Programs 2010-2011
Report 12-07 May 2012
Florida's Nursing Education Programs Continued to Expand in 2011 with Significant Increases in Student Enrollment and Graduates
Report 12-04 January 2012

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.