6A-10.0351. Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) Fund

(1) Purpose. This rule administers the Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) fund, in accordance with Section 1009.897, F.S.

(2) Definitions. For the purposes of administering the program, the following definitions shall be used.

(a) “Department” means the Florida Department of Education.

(b) “Institution” means a school district career center under Section 1001.44, F.S. that offers a licensed practical nurse program, a charter technical career center under Section 1002.34, F.S. that offers a licensed practical nurse program, or a Florida College System institution.

(c) “Passage rates” means the percent of first-time test takers who take and pass the National Council of State Board of Nursing Licensing Examination (NCLEX) per program type as determined pursuant to Section 464.019, F.S.

(d) “Post-licensure nursing education program” means programs of study that advance the training of licensed Registered Nurses.

(e) “Pre-licensure nursing education program” means programs of study that prepare graduates to become eligible to apply to be licensed as a Licensed Practical Nurse or a Registered Nurse.

(f) “Program completer” means a nursing program graduate as reported by the institution to the Department.

(3) Measures. The calculation of institutional allocations shall include the following measures. These measures, as described herein, are to be used for purposes of the distribution of the PIPELINE Fund, subject to appropriation and unless appropriated differently by the Florida Legislature.

(a) Pre-Licensure Nursing Program Performance. Institutions receive a proportion of funds based on the number of students who are awarded a certificate or degree in a pre-licensure nursing education program, which is weighted by licensure passage rates. Agency allocations are determined by:

1. Identifying the count of pre-licensure nursing programs completers.

2. Identifying the licensure passage rates for pre-licensure nursing programs.

3. Multiplying the pre-licensure completer counts by the licensure passage rates.

4. Using the completions weighted by licensure passage rates, calculating each eligible agency’s pro-rata share of the funds for pre-licensure nursing program performance.

(b) Pre-Licensure Nursing Program Excellence. Institutions receive a proportion of funds based on the number of students who are awarded a certificate or degree in a pre-licensure nursing education program, which is weighted by licensure passage rates exceeding the national average. Agency allocations are determined by:

1. Identifying the licensure passage rates for pre-licensure nursing programs.

2. Identifying the national average of licensure passage rates for pre-licensure nursing programs.

3. Calculating the percentage point difference for pre-licensure nursing programs with passage rates above the national average.

4. Calculating each eligible agency’s pro-rata share of the funds for pre-licensure nursing program excellence.

(c) Post-Licensure Nursing Program Performance. Institutions receive a proportion of funds based on the number of students who are awarded a certificate or degree in a post-licensure nursing education program. Agency allocations are determined by:

1. Identifying the count of post-licensure nursing programs completers.

2. Calculating each eligible agency’s pro-rata share of the funds for post-licensure nursing program performance.

(4) Funding. Subject to appropriation, the Department shall notify institutions of the allocations and the timeline for disbursement.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1009.897(4) FS. Law Implemented 1009.897 FS. History‒New 9-20-22.