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

Board of Nursing Addressed Statutory Changes; Nursing Program Capacity Expanded in 2009-10

Report 11-06, January 2011





Report Summary

  • To address the nursing shortage in Florida, the 2009 Legislature modified how the Board of Nursing oversees nursing education programs. Our prior report identified several issues with the board's implementation of program approval and monitoring processes required by the new law. The 2010 Legislature amended the statutes to clarify these processes. The board has implemented the revised processes and addressed other issues we identified.
  • The intent of the legislative changes was to increase the number of nursing programs and qualified nurses in Florida. Since the 2009 law took effect, the board has approved 64 new nursing programs. As a result, capacity and student enrollment in nursing programs has increased in the past year. However, data is not yet available to evaluate how the new law has affected student graduation and retention rates or employment outcomes.


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.
nursing education, nursing shortage, licensed practical nurse, associate degree in nursing, bachelor of science in nursing, LPN