FAMU School of Nursing probation lifted after nearly perfect pass rate

The Florida A&M University School of Nursing’s low trajectory of first-time pass rates has made a turnaround after the program's 2023 spring cohort was given a 96.55% passage rate.

The improvement — where 28 out of 29 spring graduates in the nursing program passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on the first try — is followed by the relief of the nursing school’s two-year probation recently being lifted by the Florida Board of Nursing.

“These exceptional results show what happens when we make a collaborative and strategic approach to student success,” FAMU President Larry Robinson said in a prepared statement.

“I am delighted for our School of Nursing graduates,” he added. “The healthcare industry needs their expertise and their talent. FAMU is privileged to be able to provide such important service.”

The FAMU School of Nursing’s baccalaureate program was under scrutiny after being placed on probation in 2021 by the state’s Board of Nursing for having low NCLEX first-time passing rates in 2019 and 2020 — similar to the time it was placed on probation in April 2018 for the same issue.

The NCLEX is an exam designed to test the knowledge, skills and abilities needed to practice nursing safely and effectively at the entry level, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

FAMU nursing students had a first-time NCLEX pass rate of 63.44% in 2019, 66.67% in 2020 and 62.30% in 2021.

In addition, the program's 2022 overall annual pass rate was 79.17% — all while nursing programs across the state were required by the Florida Board of Nursing to meet the national average pass rate of 86%.

Nursing programs are a priority of the Board of Governors while there is a critical workforce need for nurses in the state of Florida.

Over the past two years, Gov. Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature invested $46 million to enhance nursing programs — according to a Feb. 7 release from the State University System of Florida — and DeSantis's 2024-25 budget proposal for this legislative session includes a recommended investment of $125 million for nursing education programs across the state to help address nursing vacancies.

Although the nursing program at FAMU was reevaluated in January 2022 after the 2021 probation, the state Board determined that the probation would continue for a second year.

At the same time, the program was granted continuing accreditation by The Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Board of Commissioners despite being on probation over the two-year period.

While FAMU nursing students had a high 96.55% licensure passage rate in spring 2023, the nursing program at the university had a 2023 overall annual NCLEX first-time pass rate of 82.46%, which met the national average pass rate of 80%.

At Florida State University's College of Nursing, students passed the NCLEX for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) with a 95% passage rate, which exceeded the national benchmark of 90%.

“We are making tremendous progress as we continue to prepare nursing professionals,” FAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson Watson said in a university release. “Our current standing on the NCLEX is reflective of the work and investment that our faculty, clinical partners and students have committed to.”

More: FAMU School of Nursing placed on probation by state board, accreditation maintained

FAMU School of Nursing Interim Dean Lisa Gardner — who stepped into the role in July following former dean and professor Shelley Johnson’s resignation from the university — says the pre-licensure program’s improvements are a result of a strategy that was put together by administrators, faculty and staff under Johnson's leadership to prepare students for the licensure exams.

The strategy included initiatives such as increasing the number of academic advisors and academic success coaches and having students take a predictor exam ahead of the NCLEX.

“Our faculty has worked tremendously hard to create a learning environment for student success, and the students responded positively,” Gardner said in a release. She became the fifth person to fill the nursing school’s dean position in the last six years.

“We will continue to utilize resources to equip our students with the knowledge, skills and attitudes to be successful professional nurses and leaders in the healthcare field," she added.

While the university's School of Nursing is no longer on probation, the first-time licensure passage rates of its students must continue to meet the national NCLEX average pass rate moving forward to stay in good standing.

Contact Tarah Jean at [email protected] or follow her on X: @tarahjean_.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FAMU nursing school's probation is lifted after 2023 passage rate