Florida is trying to recruit and retain nurses because of a growing shortage, but a new study shows the state is leading in the country when it comes to nursing graduates failing their final exam.Nursing students are required to take the NCLEX to earn a license and start working.According to the Florida Center for Nursing, Florida had the largest number of test-takers in the country in 2023, but an average of 76% passed the NCLEX-RN and an average of 74% of the test-takers passed the NCLEX-PN. The national passing rate for the NCLEX-RN is about 88% and for the NCLEX-PN, it's about 86%. "If our graduates from Florida's programs are not passing the NCLEX, they're not able to enter the workforce. So it's really not helping to balance the supply and the demand for nurses right now," said Rayna Letourneau, who is an educator and the executive director of the Florida Center for Nursing. Letourneau presented the findings to some nursing educators at Valencia College on Tuesday. She hopes to spread awareness. "Our population continues to grow. We have visitors and a huge tourism industry and we need to make sure that our health care system is robust and can create healthy communities," Letourneau said. The FCN says the failing rates have been trending in the state for the last decade.The report says Florida's pass rates increased between 2022 and 2023, but the state's performance is still lower than the U.S. average."It's a way for us to measure, are you getting a quality education? Are students being prepared to enter the nursing workforce?" Letourneau said. The FCN is trying to find ways to boost more qualified faculty members in schools and improve the curriculum. "The amount of clinical hours associated in the curricula can be considered," Letourneau said. "The other barrier that our research indicated was for public schools in Florida, salary is the number one reason that nursing programs are not able to fill the faculty vacancies."She's hoping the new report will empower nursing educators to help graduates reach the finish line. "Use the data from the Florida Center for Nursing to drive policy and decision-making," Letourneau said. Top headlines:Sheriff says sniper killed Florida bank robber as he held knife to hostage's throatSheriff: Knife-wielding man fatally shot after charging at Orange County deputiesFistfight between men over estranged wife turns into Flagler County road rage shooting
Central Florida —
Florida is trying to recruit and retain nurses because of a growing shortage, but a new study shows the state is leading in the country when it comes to nursing graduates failing their final exam.
Nursing students are required to take the NCLEX to earn a license and start working.
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According to the Florida Center for Nursing, Florida had the largest number of test-takers in the country in 2023, but an average of 76% passed the NCLEX-RN and an average of 74% of the test-takers passed the NCLEX-PN.
The national passing rate for the NCLEX-RN is about 88% and for the NCLEX-PN, it's about 86%.
"If our graduates from Florida's programs are not passing the NCLEX, they're not able to enter the workforce. So it's really not helping to balance the supply and the demand for nurses right now," said Rayna Letourneau, who is an educator and the executive director of the Florida Center for Nursing.
Letourneau presented the findings to some nursing educators at Valencia College on Tuesday. She hopes to spread awareness.
"Our population continues to grow. We have visitors and a huge tourism industry and we need to make sure that our health care system is robust and can create healthy communities," Letourneau said.
The FCN says the failing rates have been trending in the state for the last decade.
The report says Florida's pass rates increased between 2022 and 2023, but the state's performance is still lower than the U.S. average.
"It's a way for us to measure, are you getting a quality education? Are students being prepared to enter the nursing workforce?" Letourneau said.
The FCN is trying to find ways to boost more qualified faculty members in schools and improve the curriculum.
"The amount of clinical hours associated in the curricula can be considered," Letourneau said. "The other barrier that our research indicated was for public schools in Florida, salary is the number one reason that nursing programs are not able to fill the faculty vacancies."
She's hoping the new report will empower nursing educators to help graduates reach the finish line.
"Use the data from the Florida Center for Nursing to drive policy and decision-making," Letourneau said.
Top headlines:
- Sheriff says sniper killed Florida bank robber as he held knife to hostage's throat
- Sheriff: Knife-wielding man fatally shot after charging at Orange County deputies
- Fistfight between men over estranged wife turns into Flagler County road rage shooting
