Choosing a Nursing Program
Choosing a nursing program is an important investment in your future. Not all nursing programs have the same educational quality standards or provide the same level of preparation for professional nursing practice. This webpage has been created to help future nursing students choose the right school.
Board Approval vs. Accreditation: What's the Difference?
Board approval means the program has met the minimum requirements under Florida law.
While a program may fit the minimum requirements under Florida law for approval, that does not guarantee the quality of the nursing education program or successful outcomes.
Approval is different from national nursing accreditation. The Board’s oversight of approved program quality is limited by law, and it is not authorized to conduct program site visits.
Nursing accreditation ensures a quality nursing education program.
Nursing accreditation ensures that the program meets national standards for nursing education and has an established record of student success.
Nursing program accreditation provides an additional review against national standards for nursing education. It evaluates areas such as curriculum, faculty, clinical experiences, resources, and student outcomes and supports ongoing improvement. Accreditation is an important indicator of quality, but it does not guarantee individual success.
Accredited programs publish their student success information (e.g., NCLEX pass records). These records are also listed on the accrediting body website.
Many graduate schools will not accept students with degrees from nursing schools that are not accredited by either the Collegiate Commission on Nursing Education (CCNE) or Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN, formerly NLNAC), even if the school is regionally accredited.
What to Check Before Enrolling
Program Status & Accreditation
Verify the exact program and campus in the Florida Department of Health database using the link below. Look under the column ‘License Status’ to check if the program is Approved, Accredited, or Probationary.
FL DOH MQA Search Portal | Compare Florida Prelicensure Nursing Education Programs
What do the different statuses mean?
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Programs approved by the Florida Board of Nursing meet the minimum requirements under Florida law to let its graduates take the standardized nursing licensing exam that graduates must pass to become licensed nurses in the United States, the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination).
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Accredited programs undergo additional, comprehensive and rigorous review to ensure the program’s overall quality, including outcomes, student support, and educational resources. Accredited programs are required to engage in continuous quality improvement to ensure graduates are prepared to pass the NCLEX and are ready to transition safely into professional practice.
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In Florida, graduates of nationally accredited nursing programs have consistently achieved higher first-time NCLEX pass rates than graduates of programs that are only Board-approved.
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Probationary is a status for an already approved nursing education program that has been placed on probation under Florida law. The program still has approval to operate but is under special monitoring because of performance or compliance issues.
Licensure Exam Pass Rates
Review first time NCLEX pass rates as another indicator of the quality education standards a nursing program provides. The Florida Department of Health's database has NCLEX pass rates available for every nursing program in Florida.
Clinical Preparation and Student Support
Ask where clinical experiences occur and who arranges placements. Also ask about how students develop hands-on skills and clinical judgement. Ask about tutoring, faculty access, academic advising, and NCLEX preparation.
Cost
Compare tuition, fees, supplies, clinical travel expenses, financial aid, and refund policies.
Future Opportunities
Confirm licensure requirements where you intend to practice and admission requirements for further education.
Accrediting Bodies
There are three main accrediting bodies for nursing programs. Look for these logos when evaluating nursing programs.
