FL S2530

Authorizes disclosure of confidential nursing license applicant information (financial, medical, transcripts) to approved and accredited program directors for purposes of evaluating graduate passage rates on licensing examinations.

Establishes new definitions and restructures approval requirements for nursing education programs, distinguishing between "approved programs" (state-approved) and "accredited programs" (nationally accredited by recognized agencies).

Requires approved nursing programs to achieve a graduate passage rate not lower than 10 percentage points below the average for comparable degree programs; programs failing to meet this standard for 2 consecutive calendar years must be placed on probationary status and face termination after 2 years of non-compliance.

Mandates Board of Nursing publish program data on its website by October 1, 2010, including accreditation status, graduate passage rates for the most recent 2 calendar years, and probationary status, updated at least quarterly.

Exempts accredited programs from most approval and accountability requirements; requires institutions to notify the board within 10 business days if an accredited program loses accreditation and provide 30 days to either apply for approved status or cease operations.