South Florida Nursing Education Community Reels from Dade Medical College’s Sudden Closure
The sudden closure of Dade Medical College, a popular for-profit medical institution, has sent shockwaves throughout the South Florida nursing education community. The school recently shut down all six of its campuses in South and Central Florida, leaving students and employees without warning and amidst a series of scandals.
A Precarious Position for Local Medical Technical Training
The story of Dade Medical College’s downfall sheds light on the precarious position for local medical technical training in South Florida. Since 2009, when Florida’s Department of Health predicted a shortage crisis in nurses, the state legislature has relaxed requirements to open training schools, leading to an influx of for-profit medical training programs.
Sub-Par Workforce
These programs have created a sub-par workforce, with many schools in South Florida offering substandard training, resulting in high failure rates in students attempting to obtain nursing licenses. According to figures, the passing rates for graduates with an associate degree in nursing have declined from 86 percent in 2009 to 76 percent in 2014.
The Demand for Nurses and the Role of For-Profit Schools
The demand for nurses and the potential for employment in private homes and hospitals have motivated a high percentage of Caribbean-Americans to enter nursing schools. Many of these students were unable to graduate from high school but went on to complete the required GED subjects to enter for-profit nursing schools with less stringent admissions requirements.
Higher Fees, Massive Debt
However, the fees charged by these for-profit schools are usually higher than community colleges, with the cost for an associate degree course for a physical therapist assistant at Dade Medical being $40,050, almost twice the amount at the region’s community colleges. Students at these for-profit schools often pay for their courses with student loans, incurring massive debt, while the more fortunate receive government Pell Grants.
A Call to Action
While Florida’s Board of Nursing is authorized to close schools with low passing rates in three successive years, this doesn’t help students who spent thousands of dollars only to face almost certain failure. Granting, for-profit schools serve a purpose in meeting the demand for trained nurses, but it’s clear that Florida’s legislature needs to reevaluate the status of these schools.
Needed Reforms
More for-profit schools should be accredited, with applicants subject to more thorough evaluation to ensure they have the potential to pass the required licensing exam. Florida’s Board of Nursing should also be required to consistently monitor the quality of courses offered by private schools, and students should be protected from predatory loan practices.
Conclusion
The crisis in South Florida’s nursing education community is a sobering reminder of the importance of quality education and regulatory oversight. By addressing these issues, Florida can produce a workforce of qualified licensed nurses who can provide the best possible care to patients.
FAQs
Q: What were the reasons behind Dade Medical College’s closure?
A: Dade Medical College’s closure was due to a combination of factors, including its poor reputation, low nurse licensing exam passing rates, and financial struggles.
Q: What is the current state of nursing education in South Florida?
A: The state of nursing education in South Florida is precarious, with many for-profit schools offering substandard training and producing graduates who struggle to pass the nurse licensing exam.
Q: What solutions are being proposed to address the crisis?
A: Proposed solutions include increasing funding to community colleges, expanding their nursing programs, and improving regulatory oversight of for-profit schools.