JACKSON, Tenn. — May 7, 2010 — The latest graduates from 51社区鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Nursing program have a 100 percent pass rate on the latest national registered nurse licensure examination.
All of the 59 graduates who were part of the perfect pass rate graduated from Union鈥檚 accelerated nursing program from either the Jackson or Germantown campus. One student who graduated in December has yet to take the examination.
Tim Smith, dean of the School of Nursing at 51社区, said while the School of Nursing has a long history of strong pass rates, this year鈥檚 performance on the examination surpasses the prior pass rates.
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses is created by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. A passing score on the exam is required for each graduate to be licensed as a registered nurse. The NCLEX-RN tests graduates on topics that cover the entire human lifespan 鈥� from newborn to geriatrics.
Smith said well qualified faculty, expanding simulation facilities, excellent educational facilities and 鈥渢remendous鈥� partnerships with nearby clinical facilities all contribute to the students鈥� success on the licensure examination.
He said graduates are also well-prepared to take the NCLEX-RN because of the standardized tests they take while in Union鈥檚 nursing program. Throughout the curriculum, nursing students take standardized tests to evaluate their performance in comparison to other nursing students at Union and around the nation.
Smith also reflected on the implications the perfect pass rate has on the community around Union.
鈥淭he community鈥檚 investment into the university and into the School (of Nursing) gives them the assurance that we have solid students coming out to serve in their institutions,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd most importantly, it gives us the opportunity to show the blessings of God 鈥� that you can take an educational institution and use it for the purposes of God鈥檚 kingdom.鈥�