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

Florida's Nursing Education Programs Continued to Expand in 2012 with Increases in Program Capacity, Student Enrollment, and Graduates

Report 13-03, January 2013

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Report Summary

To address the nursing shortage in Florida, the 2009 Legislature modified how the Board of Nursing oversees nursing education programs. The intent of the modifications was to increase the number of nursing programs and qualified nurses in Florida. Since the legislation took effect in July 2009,

  • the Board of Nursing has approved 172 new nursing education programs, which has increased the total number of programs by 104%;
  • the number of nursing student seats has increased by 79%;
  • enrollment in nursing programs has increased by 52%, with the greatest increase occurring in nursing bridge programs;
  • nursing program retention rates have gradually increased;
  • the number of students graduating from nursing programs has increased by 28%;
  • of the nursing programs created since 2009 that had graduates who took the licensure exam, approximately two-thirds had exam passage rates that met or exceeded the national average for the 2012 calendar year; and
  • 72% of practical nursing program graduates that received their initial license in 2010 are employed in a nursing-related field.
However, not enough time has elapsed to fully evaluate the effects of the new law on employment outcomes of the associate and bachelor's degrees program graduates.

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. Over One-Third of Nursing Programs Had Licensure Exam Passage Rates Below the Required Legislative Standard in 2014
    Report 15-07 July 2015
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, nursing education, nursing shortage, licensed practical nurse, associate degree in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing, LPN