Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Since Implementing Statutory Changes, the State Board of Nursing Has Approved More Nursing Programs; the Legislature Should Address Implementation Issues

Report 10-14, January 2010

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Report Summary

To address the nursing shortage in Florida, the 2009 Legislature modified how nursing education programs are administered by the Board of Nursing. The board has taken several actions to implement the required changes and has received more than double the number of applications for new nursing programs from the previous year.

There are six issues associated with the board's implementation of the revised law.

  • The program application timeframe is inconsistent with the timeframe established in the Administrative Procedure Act.
  • The board's application for new nursing programs is not yet finalized and includes requirements beyond those in statute.
  • The board's method for placing programs on probation is not finalized.
  • The board's instructions for the 2009 Annual Report and Workforce Survey did not specify which items programs must complete to comply with statute.
  • The board's interactive website does not include all required elements.
  • The board's process for communicating with nursing education programs needs improvement.

The Legislature should consider clarifying language in the revised law to address these issues.

Related Reports
  1. Approximately 42% of Nursing Programs Had Licensure Exam Passage Rates Below the Required Legislative Standard in 2016
    Report 17-07 June 2017
  2. Review of Florida's Nursing Education Programs, 2016
    Report 17-03 January 2017
  3. Approximately 42% of Nursing Programs Had Licensure Exam Passage Rates Below the Required Legislative Standard in 2015
    Report 16-05 July 2016
  4. Florida's Nursing Education Programs Continued to Expand in 2015
    Report 16-02 January 2016
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.
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.
Florida nursing education programs, HB 1209, Ch. 2009-168, Florida Board of Nursing, Florida nursing education approval process