| Q: | Where can I find a list of all the approved or accredited nursing education programs in Florida? |
| A: | A list of all the approved or accredited nursing education programs in Florida is available through the links entitled "Compare Nursing Education Programs" on the following web pages: You may also view the list through www.flhealthsource.com. Select either the Citizen/Consumer or Licensee/Provider button or then select the link for "Compare Nursing Education Programs". |
| Q: | What is the difference between an "approved" and an "accredited" nursing education program in Florida? |
| A: | An "approved" nursing education program is a program for the prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that is conducted in Florida at an educational institution that is approved and regulated under s.464.019, Florida Statutes. Approved nursing education programs are not required to be accredited; however, many programs are regionally or nationally accredited through educational or vocational accrediting agencies. An "accredited" nursing education program, as defined by s. 464.003, Florida Statutes, is a program for the prelicensure education of professional or practical nurses that is conducted in the United States at an educational institution, whether in Florida, another state, or the District of Columbia, and that is accredited by a specialized nursing accrediting agency that is nationally recognized by the United States Secretary of Education to accredit nursing education programs (National League For Nursing Accrediting Commission (NLNAC) or Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE)). |
| Q: | Will my choice of attending one rather than the other impact my eligibility to sit for the licensing examination? |
| A: | Graduates of both approved and accredited nursing education programs are eligible to apply to the Florida Board of Nursing for licensure by examination. |
| Q: | What is the significance of nursing education program NCLEX passage rates and the NCLEX National Average passage rate? |
| A: | The NCLEX or National Council Licensure Examination is the national licensing examination for practical and registered nurses. Quarterly and cumulative passage rates for first time test takers are calculated and published by a contracted testing service and are made available to the Florida Board of Nursing and are posted on the website. The NCLEX National Average passage rate is the average number of all member first time test takers for a reporting period, calculated by the National Testing Service using the test takers' scores during the reporting period, to determine the average of the conglomerate scores. Pursuant to s.464.019, F.S., the Florida Board of Nursing monitors these passage rates to ensure the achievement of Florida approved nursing education program graduates. Approved nursing education programs must achieve a graduate passage rate that is not lower than 10 percentage points less than the average passage rate for graduates of comparable degree programs who are United States educated, first-time test takers on the NCLEX during a calendar year. An approved nursing education program shall be placed on Approved/probationary status by the Florida Board of Nursing pursuant to s. 464.019 for failure to meet the required passage rates on the NCLEX for two consecutive calendar years. To view NCLEX passage rates visit www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing and select the link for "RN/LPN school information". To compare selected nursing education program passage rates select the link "Compare Nursing Education Programs" on the following web pages: |
| Q: | If I graduate from a nursing education program with Approved/probationary status will I be able to sit for the NCLEX? |
| A: | Yes. Graduates of nursing education programs with Approved/probationary status are eligible to apply to the Florida Board Nursing for licensure by examination. |
| Note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. | |
| Q: | Why is a particular nursing education program that I am interested in not coming up on my comparison search on the interactive website? |
| A: | The comparison search data is refreshed nightly and may not reflect information for newly approved or accredited programs. The program may also not be an approved or accredited nursing education program based in Florida. Please contact the Florida Board of Nursing at MQA_NursingEducation_Correspondence@doh.state.fl.us to confirm the nursing education program status. |
| Q: | What is the difference between the "Accrediting Body" and "Accreditation" categories on the nursing education program comparison website? |
| A: | The "Accrediting Body" category identifies the specific accrediting agency. The "Accreditation" category indicates the status applied to each nursing education program by the Florida Board of Nursing to indicate whether the program has specialized nursing accreditation, other national or regional educational accreditation, or no accreditation. Nursing education programs may have multiple listings under both categories. |
| Q: | What is "Retention Rate"? |
| A: | The percentage of the number of students tracked from program entry to graduation. |
| Q: | What is the difference between an A.D.N. program and a B.S.N. program? |
| A: | Both types of these professional nursing educational programs prepare the graduate for eligibility for licensure as a Registered Nurse. A.D.N. or Associate Degree in Nursing programs are usually two year programs. B.S.N. or Bachelor's of Science in Nursing degree programs are usually four year programs. |
| Q: | Where can I view the applications for approved nursing education programs submitted after July 1, 2009? |
| A: | To view an application for an approved nursing education program submitted after July 1, 2009 select the link "Look Up a License" on the following web pages: or the link "Verify a License" on www.FLHealthSource.com. Then select "Nursing Education Program- RN" or "PN" under Profession and then the specific nursing education program. Click on the Nursing Program tab and then select "Link to Application". |
| Q: | Where can I view an approved nursing education program's annual summary of compliance with s. 464.019, Florida Statutes? |
| A: | To view an approved nursing education program's annual summary of compliance with s. 464.019, Florida Statutes, select the link "Look Up a License" on the following web pages: or the link "Verify a License" on www.FLHealthSource.com. Then select "Nursing Education Program- RN" or "PN" under Profession and then the specific nursing education program. Click on the Nursing Program tab and then select "Link to Application". |
| Q: | How can I find out which nursing education programs in Florida offer courses online? |
| A: | Nursing education programs may deliver course content through several venues. Please contact the nursing education program directly for this information. |
| Q: | How can I find out which nursing education programs in Florida are LPN-RN bridge programs? |
| A: | The Florida Board of Nursing does not regulate admission criteria for nursing programs. Please contact the nursing program directly for information on advanced placement opportunities |
| Q: | Where can I find a list of post-licensure/graduate nursing education programs in Florida? |
| A: | The Florida Board of Nursing does not regulate post-licensure nursing education programs, for example RN-BSN or other advanced nursing degrees. Please contact the Florida Department of Education for this information. www.fldoe.org. |
| Q: | What do I do if I have a complaint about a nursing education program in Florida? |
| A: | Please send your complaint by email or letter giving the details of your complaint to:
E-mail Address: MQA_ConsumerServices@doh.state.fl.us |
| Q: | Where can I find the Florida law and rules related to nursing education programs? |
| A: | You may view the Chapter 464, Nurse Practice Act, Florida Statutes, and Chapter 64B9, Rules of the Florida Board of Nursing, Florida Administrative Code, by selecting the button "Statutes/Rules" on www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing. |
| Q: | Where can I find the application for a new nursing education program? |
| A: | The application for a new nursing education program is available by selecting the button "School Information" and then the button "Applications and Forms" on the Florida Board of Nursing's website www.doh.state.fl.us/mqa/nursing. |
| Note: Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or in writing. | |
| Q: | How may I contact the Board of Nursing with questions regarding the accuracy of nursing education program information? |
| A: | E-mail address:MQA_NursingEducation_Correspondence@doh.state.fl.us |
| MISSION: | To protect and promote the health of all residents and visitors in the state through organized state |
| and community efforts, including cooperative agreements with counties. | |
| VISION: | A healthier future for the people of Florida. |
| PURPOSE: | To protect the public through health care licensure, enforcement and information. |
| FOCUS: | To be the nation's leader in quality health care regulation. |
| VALUES: | Integrity, Commitment, Respect, Excellence, Accountability, Teamwork, & Empowerment. |
