FGCU nursing program lifted off probation

FGCU's nursing program has been taken off of probation after two years. The program's high passing rate on the National Council Licensure Examination prompted the probation to be lifted. Students had an 89 percent pass rate.

The program was placed on probation in April 2007 for under-performing on certification tests.

"We are now much stronger, more stable and as we go forward we can simply provide better nurses," said Marianne Rodgers, director of FGCU's nursing program.

In August 2007, four months after the program was placed on probation, students had one lab. Today, they have three. The labs provide students with basic skills like starting an IV.

The program's May group, which consisted of 42 students, had a 95 percent pass rate.

"In July we knew we were heading in the right direction," Rodgers said. "We've added labs, simulations and spent a lot of time working on teaching the basics."

The program was also given the maximum 10-year national accreditation.

"National accreditation is the standard we are held to as a educational program," said Rodgers. "They can give only a year, or the maximum ten years, which we received. We've worked hard for this."

Amanda Brace, a senior majoring in nursing, was a student when it was announced that the program was on probation. The news prompted her to considering switching universities.

"I tried transferring to Florida Atlantic University, but they froze their program," she said.

Brace believes the university handled the situation well. "We have gained a lot of students. It makes me confident in the program," she said.

The lift was not only a victory for the students, but faculty as well.

"I think in many ways, being on probation was demoralizing for faculty, but at the same time they worked very hard and they made changes. So, I can say it was positive in that way. I think they learned from it," Rodgers said.

The nursing program has 200 students, with one undergraduate program in Nursing and four graduate programs: Acute care nurse practitioner, nurse anesthesia, nursing and primary health care nurse practitioner.

- Allison Gagliardi contributed to this report