Students excel on licensure exam

University of Louisville School of Nursing students have outpaced the U.S. pass rate average on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses (RNs).

In 2008, 96-percent of UofL nursing students who tested within a year of graduation passed the NCLEX-RN, compared to the national pass rate of 78-percent.

"This is exceptional," said University of Louisville Provost Shirley Willihnganz.

School of Nursing Dean Marcia Hern commended faculty and staff for their hard work in helping students excel.

"I thank each and every one of you for your untiring efforts to advise and teach with enthusiasm, science and caring to continue to produce these high quality nurses for the workforce," said Hern.

Annually, UofL School of Nursing produces more registered nurse graduates who pass the NCLEX-RN than any other school or college of nursing in Kentucky.

Passing the NCLEX is one of the final steps in the nurse licensure process. The number of students passing the exam is an indicator of how many new nurses are entering the workforce.