UofL nursing graduates have higher licensure pass rate than national average

University of Louisville School of Nursing graduates who took the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) for the first time within a year of graduation had a 96-percent pass rate for 2011, exceeding the national average. A total of 140 graduates took the test.

 For several years now, the school’s pass rates consistently have been higher than the national average – which for baccalaureate degree graduates is about 89-percent for this year.

“This speaks to the quality of education at the School of Nursing,” said Marcia Hern, EdD, CNS, RN, dean, UofL School of Nursing. “We are at the forefront of preparing quality baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral nurses through innovative teaching methods - not just for today, but tomorrow.

 “I am thankful to the dedicated undergraduate faculty for working so hard to deliver outstanding content and testing preparation,” she said.

This success follows the school’s recent reaccreditation of the baccalaureate and master’s degree programs for 10 years, the maximum length of time the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education CCNE will reaccredit nursing programs.

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.