Florida last in the nation in pass rate for nursing test
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Florida had the nation's lowest nursing exam pass rate in 2024.
Why it matters: Fewer nurses passing the exam means fewer nurses in hospitals, exacerbating the workforce shortages that have long affected the state.
- Florida improved its pass rates from 2023 but still ranked last in the U.S. for the exams that nurses must pass to obtain a license, per a new report from the Florida Center for Nursing (FCN).
Between the lines: A new nurse must complete an accredited program, meet state requirements and pass a national exam to earn a license, with separate tests for registered and practical nurses.
- The Florida Hospital Association reported that the state's nursing vacancy rate for 2024 was 7.8%, with more than 16,000 open positions. The nursing turnover rate for the year was 17.6%.
Driving the news: Florida has lagged the national average for over a decade, with the gap reaching its widest in 2020.
- Last year, 19,623 people in Florida took the national exam; the 2024 pass rate was the highest recorded since at least 2013.
What they're saying: "Florida had the most test-takers in the country in 2024, but if they are not passing the test and entering the workforce, it's not helping to close the gap," Rayna Letourneau, executive director of the FCN, told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
Zoom in: The FCN regionalizes its data. Hernando, Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota, Manatee, Hardee, DeSoto and Highlands counties form the West Central region.
- In 2024, the West Central region had about 3,600 test-takers — the second largest share in Florida. It also ranked second in pass rates for registered and practical nurses at 90%.