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 responsible for issuing these licenses, and the Board of Nursing will adopt rules to implement this system. Additionally, the bill revises application requirements for nursing education program approval, including the establishment of preceptorship standards by the Florida Center for Nursing, and mandates remediation and preceptorship opportunities for programs with low graduate passage rates. The Board of Nursing is also granted authority to deny or revoke program approvals based on adverse actions from other regulatory jurisdictions.

Moreover, the bill introduces measures to enhance transparency and accountability within nursing education programs. It requires the Board to publish graduate average passage rates, retention rates, and accreditation statuses on its website, allowing for user-friendly searches and comparisons. The bill also outlines penalties for program directors who violate regulations, the process for notifying them of non-compliance, and the consequences of failing to submit annual reports, which could lead to program termination. Onsite evaluations by department agents will ensure compliance, and provisions for recalculating passage rates for programs with transferring students are included. Overall, the legislation aims to improve the quality of nursing education and ensure graduates are well-prepared for licensure examinations.