Catholic University Nursing students came away from the 2018 National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) with an impressive 98.57% pass rate for first-time test takers. This rate is “a monumental accomplishment,” according to Patricia McMullen, dean of the School of Nursing.
The NCLEX is a required examination for those seeking nursing licensure. It contains questions ranging from management of care to safety and infection control.
Such excellent performance might not come as a surprise to some, especially those with personal experience in the program. Stephanie Gibson graduated from the nursing school in 2018 and she remarked on the preparedness and knowledge exhibited by Catholic University nursing graduates. She took a Kaplan course while preparing for the NCLEX.
“It was quite notable how much more prepared and competent the CUA nurses were with their NCLEX readiness,” she said. Last summer, Gibson started the residency program at Washington Hospital Center.
“It is really amazing how all of the Catholic University grads are on top of their games,” she said. “The Catholic graduates truly are superstars of this program and stick out of the crowd from my experience. A nurse educator asks a question and a Catholic U grad is the first to know and answers them. It's really remarkable.”
This testing achievement comes soon after a release from U.S. News & World Report, which ranked the School of Nursing’s online graduate program as one of the top ten programs of its kind in the United States.