Florida Trend Exclusive
Rx for the NCLEX
Lawmakers again will be asked to establish a series of steps aimed at helping nursing graduates pass their national licensing examinations and punishing programs whose graduates chronically underperform on those tests. Florida ranks dead last among the 50 states in NCLEX passing rates, falling 6 percentage points below the 89% national average for first-time test takers in the second quarter of 2025, the Florida Center for Nursing reports. The problem lies squarely in the private, for-profit sector — all but one of Florida’s state universities are above 90% passage rates, and state colleges also perform well. [Source: Florida Trend]
Health officials probe possible Legionnaires’ disease outbreak
Florida health officials are reporting a recent increase in infections from Legionella, the bacteria causing the potentially deadly Legionnaires’ disease, in Orange County as two patients say clinicians informed them of an outbreak possibly linked to a local gym. State health data shows Orange County has had 59 confirmed cases of Legionellosis in 2025, including 11 in the first three weeks of November. [Source: Orlando Sentinel]
Florida reviews school immunization requirements as public hearing approaches
A notice filed in the Florida Administrative Register confirms that the Department of Health is updating Rule 64D-3.046. That rule involves immunization and documentation requirements for public and nonpublic school entry. It also includes revisions to forms DH 680 and DH 681, the immunization guidelines for Florida schools and language on opting out of shots. The department says the preliminary text of the proposed rule is not yet available. [Source: WTXL]
AARP report flags nursing home care costs
Florida nursing homes care for more than 700,000 people daily. But soon, The Gardens at DePugh Nursing Center in Winter Park will close its doors. The closing of the Gardens at DePugh Nursing Center is part of a trend in Florida and nationwide that has seen these properties either redeveloped or bought by investment firms. A new report from AARP shows that of 425 Florida nursing homes, 60%, had ownership changes between 2019 and 2023 — 156 of them were bought by private equity firms. Citing Centers for Medicare and Medicaid ratings, AARP concludes there has been a 50% reduction in care at those homes. [Source: WESH]
'Flesh-eating bacteria' cases are down for the year, but continue popping up
The Florida Department of Health reported a new case of Vibrio vulnificus, commonly known as flesh-eating bacteria, in an update earlier this month. This new case occurred in Polk County. The statewide total now sits at 31 for the year, with five deaths reported. It’s the lowest since 2019, when 27 cases were reported, and down greatly from 82 last year. Health officials say Hurricane Helene led to the high number of cases in 2024. According to the health department, Vibrio is usually found in warm seawater. [Source: WUSF]
ALSO AROUND FLORIDA:
› Tampa General and agency argue Medicaid patient ineligible for $70M damages
There is no dispute that Chiaka Stewart suffered a stroke just two days after a nurse at a Brandon emergency room run by Tampa General Hospital sent her home with headache pills. Her lawsuit resulted in a jury in September awarding $70.8 million in damages against Tampa General and InPhyNet, the staffing agency that employed the nurse. But attorneys representing the hospital and InPhyNet argued in court Monday that Stewart should not receive most of that money because she was on Medicaid, a federal health program for low-income families.
› As uninsured rates are expected spike, UCF unveils mobile clinic with free healthcare
As Florida’s uninsured rate is expected to go up next year, the University of Central Florida is launching a mobile health clinic providing free healthcare. The 38-foot commercial coach bus will be unveiled Wednesday as an alternative way for communities in Orange and Osceola counties to receive healthcare. The clinic has been in the works for over three years, but in a timely coincidence, its grand unveiling is happening just before changes to federal and state healthcare systems could go into effect next year, with experts estimating that many Florida residents to lose their health insurance.
› Naples surgeon’s implant innovation draws major backing
Naples orthopedic surgeon Dr. Steven Goldberg created a new model of shoulder implant shown to be more efficient for surgeons and less invasive for patients. That was the easy part. Goldberg excelled at designing ovoid-shaped shoulder implants to fit human bodies better than traditional ball-and-socket counterparts. He sketched early prototypes on paper, printed 3D models and even carved ideas into an onion. Approaching the design from a surgeon’s perspective, he created a prosthesis and surgical method intended to streamline operating room procedures while preserving more of a patient’s natural bone and tissue.
› Florida company charges disabled vets millions, even after VA said it's likely illegal
Alachua County-based Trajector Medical is charging military veterans as much as $20,000 for help with disability claims, even though the service should be free. Trajector is not alone. In recent years, scores of large and small outfits have sprung up promising to help vets apply for disability benefits. Critics call them "claim sharks." The firms operate in a legal gray area — barred by federal law from officially representing vets or charging them money to prepare their disability claim paperwork; they maintain they are merely helping vets from a distance to navigate the disability claim process.