BCC’s nursing programs have 100 percent pass rate on licensing exams

Jack McDuffie

Students from Bladen Community College’s nursing programs continue to improve their performance on the licensing exams.  BCC’s 2009 graduates from the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing Education (PNE) programs passed the exam on their first try, giving the college a 100 percent pass rate on the respective licensing exams, well above the average statewide.

This is the second consecutive year that the BCC ADN program has had a 100 percent pass rate on the exam.  This year it was one of only nine nursing schools in the state to do so.  There are 73 nursing programs across the State offering programs that qualify graduates to become registered nurses.  Of that number, 57 are in the Community College System. 

According to BCC Dean of Allied Health Erin Hinson, BCC’s ADN program suffered from “growing pains” during its first two years and did not reach a 100 percent pass rate until its third graduating class in 2008.

The Practical Nursing Education program has had a 100 percent pass rate for most of the years since it opened 16 years ago.  The 2008 class pass rate was 86 percent on their initial try; however, the previous four classes had a 100 percent pass rate.

The college’s performance on the licensing exams in recent years has been a drawing card for the programs and a “feather in the cap” of the college.

A primary measure used by the State Board of Nursing to measure the effectiveness of nursing programs across is the percentage of graduates who pass the licensing examinations on their first try.  The North Carolina Community College System also uses licensing exam results as one of its core measures of effectiveness for its member schools.  

Associate and bachelor degree nursing program graduates, as well as graduates of the two remaining diploma programs in the state, take the NCLEX-RN (National Council Licensure Exam-Registered Nurse).  Practical nursing program graduates take the NCLEX-PN.  Applicants for licenses to practice in the state must pass the appropriate exam before they are granted licenses.

Suggested cutlines for photos of the 2009 graduating classes:

BCC Associate Degree Nursing 2009 graduates

In photo above are graduates of BCC’s 2009 Associate Degree Nursing class.  They are, from top left to front right, Ashley Bryant, Melissa Henderson, Erica Cortese, Vanessa Vukovich, Jennifer Powers, Kelly Andrews, Tammie Bailey, Kadetra Lennon, Tonya Hall and Heather Edwards.

BCC Practical Nursing Education 2009 graduates

In photo above are graduates of BCC’s 2009 Practical Nursing Education program.  They are, from top left to front right, Doris Worley, Katrina Stanley, Mary Skipper, Tonya Locklear, Sarah Ferrell, Natasha Davis, Aubrey Fox, Sonia Bryan, Jennifer Duranceau-Nasci, Britt Campbell, Amanda Teague, Keisha Cromartie Lanaya Jones, Maria Jacobs and Jean Davis.