~ Florida Gulf Coast University receives a 100% passage rate and four additional institutions are above 96% ~
TALLAHASSEE, FL (February 11, 2025) – Today, the State University System of Florida (SUS) announced the success of its nursing programs on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The SUS had an average passage rate of 94%, exceeding the national average of 92%. Florida Gulf Coast University had 100% of its nursing graduates pass the exam for the second year in a row. In total, nine institutions in the SUS surpassed the national average.
Since 2022, Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have invested $138 million to expand and enhance nursing programs within the SUS through Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) and Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) funds. These funds have expanded the capacity of SUS nursing programs leading to more than 1,900 nursing graduates in 2024, a record-high for the SUS.
“The nursing programs within the SUS have maintained a standard of excellence by ensuring graduates excel on the nursing exam and are prepared to provide quality healthcare to Floridians,” said Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. “Continued investments in nursing through LINE and PIPELINE will ensure our state remains a top producer of highly skilled nurses.”
“Thanks to the ongoing investment from Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature and the dedication of university leadership and faculty, the nursing programs at our public universities consistently deliver impressive results, with notable improvements in passage rates, increased capacity, and a record number of nursing graduates. These achievements are reversing the critical need for nurses across the state,” said Brian Lamb, Chair of the Florida Board of Governors.
The nine universities with passage rates above the national benchmark of 92% are:
- 100% Florida Gulf Coast University
- 98% University of West Florida
- 98% University of Florida
- 97% University of South Florida
- 96% University of Central Florida
- 94% Florida Atlantic University
- 94% University of North Florida
- 93% Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
- 93% Florida International University
The improved NCLEX-RN pass rates reflect the goals of SUS 30, the System’s new strategic plan. SUS 30 emphasizes elevating student success by modeling excellence and producing highly skilled graduates, as demonstrated by strong performance on professional licensure and certification exams. These efforts would not be possible without the commitment of our nursing students and university leadership, faculty and staff throughout the SUS.
PIPELINE funds reward performance and excellence among postsecondary nursing programs. PIPELINE provides funds based on the number of nursing education program completers, first-time National Council of State Board of Nursing Licensing Examination passage rates, and excellence among nursing education programs based on the average of first-time passage rates above the national average.
The LINE program is a competitive grant opportunity that provides matching funds on a dollar-for-dollar basis to participating institutions that partner with health care. LINE funds can be used for student scholarships, faculty recruitment, purchasing equipment, and supporting simulation centers to increase the capacity of high-quality nursing education programs.
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About the State University System of Florida and the Board of Governors
The State University System of Florida is a constitutional body led by the 17-member Board of Governors. The System has 12 universities and more than 430,000 students, making it the second-largest public university system in the nation. Florida has held the top spot in U.S. News & World Report for higher education since the inception of the rankings in 2017. Responsibilities include defining the distinctive mission of each institution and managing the System’s coordination and operation. The Board appoints a Chancellor who serves as the System’s chief executive. For more information, visit flbog.edu or follow us on Facebook and Twitter.