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Hello, and welcome to the March newsletter.
In this issue:
- Nursing Education Research
- New Virtual Symposium
- Frontline Nursing Coming Soon
- FCN In the News
- Upcoming Events
- Nursing History
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The State of Nursing Education in Florida | The State of Nursing Education in Florida: 2026 Report | |
This report provides a comprehensive view of Florida's nursing education in two parts:
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Part One features data on capacity, enrollment, number of graduates, and demographic data, as reported by Florida nursing programs throughout the state
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Part Two provides detailed analysis of Florida's NCLEX pass rates
Key Takeaways
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Florida once again ranks #1 in the nation for the largest number of NCLEX-RN test takers in 2025, followed by Texas then California
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Florida’s NCLEX-RN pass rate for first-time test takers is 81.82%, ranking 47th out of 50 states
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Florida’s NCLEX-PN pass rate for first-time test takers is 78.56%, ranking 50th out of 50 states
- Florida nursing programs report faculty shortages as one of the main challenges. Average full-time faculty vacancy rates were reported as:
*️⃣ 6.7% in PN programs
*️⃣ 8.3% in RN programs offering a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)
*️⃣ 12.8% in RN programs offering an associate degree (ADN)
Visit flcntr.org/nursing-education-2026 or click the button below to read the full report.
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On March 25 at 11am, the Florida Center for Nursing, together with the Nursing Action Coalition of Florida (NACFL) will present "How Extreme Heat Can Affect Health," a virtual symposium addressing a pervasive problem in our state.
There is no cost for this event, and continuing education credits will be available, fully sponsored by the FCN.
Presenters
- Carol Lindsey, MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP
- Deborah Hogan, MPH, BSN, RN
Objectives
- Identify at least three heat-related illnesses that may occur during a disaster or public health emergency.
- Explain how heat impacts chronic health conditions.
- Discuss how heat-related illnesses interact with medications.
- Recognize the nurse's role in the management of heat-related illness, especially during a disaster or public health emergency.
Relevant Financial Relationships
Prior to the activity, USF Health will disclose and mitigate all relevant financial relationships that relate to the content of the activity.
ANCC Accreditation Statement
USF Health is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
Visit flcntr.org/heat-and-health to register now.
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The Florida Center for Nursing will soon release a new season of Frontline Nursing.
Frontline Nursing is a podcast series that recognizes the impact nurses have on our lives and our communities, with episodes featuring nurses and other health care leaders.
This season will feature conversations on nursing education, workforce data, nursing policy, and more. Subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts.
Visit flcntr.org/FLN or click the button below to access all episodes.
| | The Florida Center for Nursing hopes to see you at these upcoming events. | | |
Florida Council of Nursing Education Administrators (FCNEA) and the Florida Organization of Associate Degree Nurses (FOADN) Meeting, March 5, Virtual
- Florida Center for Nursing Executive Director Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, FAAN, will attend this meeting and provide an update from the FCN.
USF Health Research Day, March 6, Tampa, FL
- FCN will attend this event and promote FCN's data and reports to the research-focused audience.
Florida Association of Colleges of Nursing (FACN) Spring Meeting, March 16, Miami, FL
- Dr. Letourneau will attend and connect with college of nursing leaders from throughout the state.
Sigma 2026 Creating Healthy Work Environments Conference, March 20-22, Washington, D.C.
- The FCN will attend this event and connect with nurses from across the country.
The Association for Nursing Professional Development (ANPD) 2026 Aspire Convention, March 23-27, Louisville, KY
- FCN will attend this event and BayCare will present on the Student Experience Improvement Initiative, done in collaboration with FCN.
Florida Society for Respiratory Care (FSRC) Sunshine Seminar Leadership Forum, March 24, Daytona Beach Shores, FL
How Extreme Heat Can Affect Health: Virtual Symposium, March 25, Virtual
- FCN and the Nursing Action Coalition of Florida (NACFL) will present this virtual symposium addressing nurses' role in the management of heat-related illnesses.
American Organization for Nursing Leadership (AONL) 2026 Conference, March 29-April 2, Chicago, IL
- Dr. Letourneau will attend and connect with other nurse leaders.
| | This Month in Nursing History | | |
On March 10, 1867, Lillian Wald was born. Wald was a pioneering nurse who coined the term "public health nurse" while working on the Lower East Side of Manhattan.
According to womenshistory.org, "With the help of donors and friend Mary Brewster, she also started the Visiting Nursing Service of New York to bring affordable and decent health care to the neighborhood. In 1894, Wald and Brewster started the Henry Street Settlement House, an organization dedicated to providing social services and instruction in various subjects for the Lower East Side community."
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About the Florida Center for Nursing
The Florida Center for Nursing is established to research and address issues of supply and demand for nursing, including issues of recruitment, retention, and utilization of nurse workforce resources. The vision of the FCN is to ensure that the health care needs of the residents and visitors of Florida are met by a competent and sufficient nursing workforce.
The FCN is proudly headquartered at the University of South Florida College of Nursing.
Click the button below to learn more about the Florida Center for Nursing.
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