Sunshine Health Invests $25K in FAMU School of Nursing to Expand NCLEX Readiness and Licensure Support
Partnership helps reduce financial barriers and strengthen workforce pathways for future nurses.
Tallahassee, Fla.—June 15, 2026—Florida A&M University’s (FAMU) School of Nursing has received a $25,000 investment from Sunshine Health through the Sunshine Health Works program to support targeted licensure readiness and workforce development initiatives for nursing students preparing to enter the healthcare profession.
The funding will support FAMU’s NCLEX Workforce Pathways Initiative, a program designed to help nursing students successfully transition from the classroom to clinical practice by expanding access to licensure-preparation resources and reducing financial barriers to taking the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).
FAMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D.
“Florida’s growing healthcare workforce needs talented, well-prepared nurses, and for nearly 90 years, FAMU has been preparing graduates to meet that demand,” said Allyson L. Watson, Ph.D., provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “This partnership with Sunshine Health helps ensure that financial barriers do not delay or prevent our students from obtaining licensure and entering the workforce.”
“Together, we are creating more pathways for future nurses to serve patients, strengthen communities, and help meet Florida’s critical healthcare needs,” added Watson.
The investment comes during a milestone year for the FAMU School of Nursing, which is celebrating its 90th anniversary. Since 1936, the school has prepared generations of nursing professionals who have advanced healthcare delivery, promoted health equity, and served communities throughout Florida and beyond.
The FAMU School of Nursing continues to perform strongly on the NCLEX. In 2025, FAMU recorded a pass rate of 89.1%, remaining above both state and national averages. This builds on a standout 2024, when the University achieved a 93.48% pass rate, an 11-point increase from the year prior.
According to the agreement, funding will be used in two primary areas: NCLEX voucher access and exam preparation support. The School of Nursing will track participation, engagement, and performance outcomes, including voucher utilization, examination participation, first-time NCLEX pass rates, and licensure attainment among participating students.
A Rattler Investing in Future Rattlers: FAMU School of Nursing Dean Shannon B. Smith,
Ph.D., DNP, (left) poses with FAMU alumnus Moses Allen, PharmD ’04, vice president
of Pharmacy Operations (Florida Market) for Sunshine Health, following his announcement
of the company's $25,000 investment in the School of Nursing.“This investment will have a direct impact on our students by expanding access to the resources, preparation tools, and support services that contribute to NCLEX success,” said Shannon B. Smith, Ph.D., DNP, dean of the FAMU School of Nursing. “By strengthening licensure readiness, we are helping more graduates successfully transition from nursing education to professional practice.”
The initiative also supports broader workforce development goals by helping students successfully complete the licensure process and enter the profession more quickly.
“Sunshine Health is committed to building stronger healthcare workforce pathways throughout Florida,” said Charlene Zein, president and CEO of Sunshine Health. “Our partnership with Florida A&M University reflects our belief that investing in future healthcare professionals creates lasting benefits for students, healthcare systems, and communities. We are pleased to support nursing students as they prepare for successful careers serving patients across the state.”
As part of the partnership, FAMU and Sunshine Health will collaborate on reporting, student success storytelling, and leadership engagement opportunities that highlight the initiative’s impact on nursing education and workforce development.
To learn more about Sunshine Health’s workforce development program, visit Sunshine Health Works.
For more information about the FAMU School of Nursing, visit nursing.famu.edu.
Media Contact:
Rachel James-Terry
Senior Director of Strategic Communications
rachel.jamesterry@famu.edu
Deidre Williams
Director of Communications, Academic Affairs
deidre.williams@famu.edu
