This bill amends Florida Statutes to establish a temporary provisional licensing system for graduate registered nurses and licensed practical nurses, allowing them to practice under direct supervision for up to 180 days. The Department of Health is tasked with issuing these provisional licenses, and the Board of Nursing is required to adopt rules governing this new licensing system. Additionally, the bill revises the application requirements for nursing education program approval, including the establishment of graduate nursing preceptorship standards by the Florida Center for Nursing, and outlines conditions under which the Board may deny or revoke program approvals.

The legislation also clarifies the responsibilities of nursing program directors, including the submission of annual reports and the maintenance of graduate average passage rates. It introduces penalties for non-compliance and allows for onsite evaluations of nursing education programs. The bill emphasizes transparency by requiring programs on probation to inform students and applicants of their status and mandates the Board to publish detailed information about accredited programs online. Overall, these amendments aim to improve the quality, accountability, and transparency of nursing education in Florida.