This year’s inaugural Florida Center for Nursing Education Symposium, co-hosted by the University of Florida College of Nursing, kicked off on March 7 at the UF Hilton in Gainesville, drawing almost 1,000 health care professionals, educators and nursing students from across the state — both online and in person.

This year’s event, themed “Leading Excellence and Innovation in Florida,” focused on advancing nursing education through leading-edge technology and collaboration.

The symposium offered a platform for experts to share knowledge and discuss the future of nursing education and practice.

Rayna Letourneau, PhD, RN, the FCN executive director, opened the session with a stark discussion on the challenges facing the state of Florida in the wake of the low 2024 first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate that ranked the state last in the nation. Candidates taking the exam in the state scored an average of 84.9%, below the national average of 91.16%. UF Nursing students scored a 98% pass rate.

Letourneau stated the low exam results are not a matter of pride but affect clinical practice by placing added pressure on veteran nurses who must spend significant time ensuring new nurses understand the foundational skills and concepts necessary for effective patient care.

Letourneau emphasized that Florida must take immediate action to address underperforming nursing schools and ensure that nursing education programs meet the high standards required to prepare the next generation of health care professionals. By focusing on improving these institutions, the state can help ensure that new nurses are equipped with the skills, knowledge and competence needed to provide exceptional care.

“The Florida Center for Nursing goal is to ensure we have enough nurses to care for the people of Florida. Thanks to the UF College of Nursing co-hosting this event it provided us an opportunity to disseminate the findings from our research,” Letourneau said. “It also allowed us an opportunity to have conversations about the data and to identify innovative solutions to some of our challenges.

The discussion continued during an expert panel presentation later in the day.

Maria Walewema, PhD, RN, MSN-NHCE, the director of nursing for the FVI School of Nursing and Technology, said the solution to improving exam results include setting and upholding admission standards, realigning curriculum often and supporting faculty and staff professional development.

UF Nursing Dean Shakira Henderson, PhD, DNP, MS, MPH, EMBA, IBCLC, RNC-NIC, gave the day’s keynote and focused on the future of nursing and the implications for practice, research and education. While mentioning the challenges, including the increasing violence faced by nurses, she highlighted a future filled with promise and opportunity.

“As we look to the future of nursing, it is clear that innovation and collaboration will be key in shaping the next generation of health care professionals,” Henderson.

“The challenges we face today are opportunities to redefine nursing education and ensure that our students have the knowledge, skills and resilience to excel in an ever-evolving health care landscape. At the University of Florida College of Nursing, we are committed to leading this charge and fostering an environment where excellence in practice, research and education can thrive,” she said.

Susan Satterwhite, a nurse at AdventHealth Orlando, left the symposium with a renewed sense of purpose.

“I loved it. Every time I come to these events, I feel reinvigorated and inspired,” Satterwhite said. “It was eye-opening.”