FSU suspends nursing program

The program has been plagued by students performing poorly on state nursing exams.

In 2008, for example, 24 FSU students – 39 percent – passed the nursing exam on their first try, according to the state Board of Nursing. The average pass rate was 88 percent among North Carolina's 68 programs that train registered nurses.

Chancellor James Anderson said he wouldn't allow any new students to enroll in the four-year program until administrators can overhaul it. Current nursing students will be allowed to complete their degree.

In February, Anderson said the university planned to admit fewer students to the nursing program to give leaders a chance to focus on improving test scores.