The Senate Resolution, introduced by Senator Rodriguez, calls upon the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to develop the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for nurse licensure in Spanish. This request is driven by the significant Hispanic and Latino population in Florida, which constitutes 26 percent of the state's residents. Studies indicate that non-native English speakers tend to perform worse on the NCLEX, and similar issues were observed in Canada when the exam was only offered in English. After the NCSBN provided the exam in French, passage rates for French-speaking candidates improved significantly, highlighting the need for a Spanish version to support Florida's diverse nursing candidates.

The resolution emphasizes the urgency of addressing Florida's nursing shortage, projected to reach 59,000 vacancies by 2035. It points out that various licensing examinations in Florida are already available in Spanish, and other states have begun offering similar accommodations. By requesting the NCLEX in Spanish, the Senate aims to enhance the chances of success for nursing students in Florida, thereby increasing the supply of qualified nurses in the healthcare system. The resolution aligns with recent legislative efforts to bolster nursing education and workforce development in the state.