Scaling Academic Support in Nursing Education

Peer Models for a Stronger Healthcare Workforce

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The U.S. healthcare system faces a persistent nursing shortage with projections estimating a national shortfall of over 78,000 registered nurses by the end of 2025.

(U.S. Bureau of Health Workforce, 2022)

THE PROBLEM

Academic and Structural Barriers in Nursing Education


National NCLEX-RN pass rates have declined markedly, falling from pre-pandemic levels to 79.9% in 2022 (National Council of State Boards of Nursing [NCSBN], 2023).

In Florida, the situation is more acute: the state’s first-time pass rate dropped to 73% in 2023, falling below national standards and raising concerns about licensure readiness (Florida Center for Nursing, 2023).

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THE SOLUTION

Scalable, Peer Academic Support


Research suggests that peer tutoring improves academic performance, increases confidence, and builds interpersonal skills critical to clinical readiness (Botma et al., 2015; Hawkins et al., 2022; Stone et al., 2013).

Peer-led interventions also support NCLEX readiness. Students exposed to NCLEX-style peer-led reviews benefit from earlier and more frequent engagement with licensure-level content (Harding, 2012).

Rather than viewing tutoring as a last resort, students in peer-led environments come to see collaboration as a central part of academic success. This shift in mindset reduces stigma and supports a culture of openness.

(Harvey et al., 2024)

CASE STUDY

University of South Florida College of Nursing

In 2022, the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing launched a peer academic support initiative in partnership with Knack. At the time, USF’s first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate was 84.51%, and the college had set a goal to improve this figure while also increasing the number of nursing graduates.

Key highlights from the first year of the partnership:

0%

increase in tutoring sessions completed

0%

of sessions occurred outside of traditional hours

0%

increase in NCLEX first-time pass rate

"Knack’s peer tutoring model has given our students the tools they need to succeed, whether it’s strengthening their grasp on complex material, improving NCLEX performance, or building confidence in their abilities to successfully transition to their nursing career."

Elizabeth Jordan Senior Associate Dean of Student Success, USF Nursing

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