Okaloosa Technical College moves to add RN program; board hears amendment to hospital affiliation agreements

Okaloosa Technical College officials told the school board they are amending existing clinical affiliation agreements to add a registered nurse (RN) program to the district’s post‑secondary offerings. John Williams, director of Okaloosa Technical College, described the change as an amendment to previously‑approved agreements used for the LPN program so that students can complete RN clinicals at local hospitals.

Why it matters: The district said the RN program would create a pathway from high‑school CTE and LPN programs into RN training, helping local workforce needs. “It is a clinical internship arrangement. It benefits the hospitals by letting these nurses complete their education so they can get out onto the market in workforce,” Williams said. Board members praised local hospital partners for providing clinical placements at no fiscal impact to the district in the agreements discussed.

Details from the meeting: Staff confirmed the amendments add RN clinical components to affiliation agreements already in place for LPN training. The fiscal impact in the presented paperwork was shown as zero for the amendment; Williams said the hospitals are providing clinical placements to support student preparation for workforce entry. Board members noted the community benefit and the potential to create a high‑school to LPN to RN pipeline.

Process next steps: The item was presented as a consent item recommended by the superintendent; no final vote appears in the workshop transcript. Staff indicated they will file the addendum and pursue required approvals from the Florida Board of Nursing for establishment of an RN program.

Ending: Board members expressed support and appreciation for hospital partners and the college’s effort to expand healthcare training options in the district; the amendment items were presented for approval by the superintendent.