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 231 new nursing education programs, which has increased the total number of programs by 139%;
• the number of nursing student seats has increased by 180%;
• enrollment in nursing programs has increased by 58%, with the greatest increase occurring in nursing bridge programs;
• the number of students graduating from nursing programs has increased by 30%;
• the licensure exam passage rates of the nursing programs created since 2009 that had graduates who took the licensure exam declined- approximately 73% had exam passage rates that were more than 10% below the national average for the 2013 calendar year;
• 73% of practical nursing program graduates that received their initial license in 2011 are employed in a nursing-related field; and
• 90% of associate and bachelor's degree in nursing program graduates that received their initial registered nurse license in 2011 are employed in a nursing-related field.

Also, when comparing the two most recent academic years (2011-12 and 2012-13), nursing program retention rates decreased by 2%.