Shenandoah Nursing Graduates Excel on Exam

Shenandoah University May 2019 nursing graduates outperformed national test-takers on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). 

Shenandoah has a 98.1% pass rate on the exam, which registered nurses must pass before they practice. Shenandoah’s pass rate exceeds the 2019 national pass rate of approximately 76% for all test takers and approximately 86% for first-time test takers. 

“The School of Nursing is excited to see the impact of exceptional efforts by students, faculty and staff to have such positive outcomes,” said Dean of the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing and Professor of Nursing Kathleen Bradshaw LaSala, Ph.D., RN, PNP, CNE. 

Dr. LaSala pointed to several reasons for the students’ successful performance. “The faculty have spent significant time analyzing curriculum content, with priority on developing and using high-level, concept-based learning and assessment measures to assure that our graduates are well prepared to sit for this very comprehensive examination for licensure,” she said. “Our faculty members have helped students focus not only on understanding the knowledge content but preparing them to critically analyze the appropriate, prioritized actions and expected outcomes.”

The school has also adopted assessment measures that parallel the exam. LaSala states the School of Nursing provides one-on-one tutoring on content and test-taking skills for students who have trouble with assessment testing within the program.” In addition, she said “Students have attributed their academic success to the small size classes that allow 1:1 engagement with professors and the outstanding clinical experiences they receive in our partnering health care agencies.” 

“We celebrate together in the success of our graduates,” LaSala said. “Our graduates are considered priority hires by regional health care employers and are changing lives on a daily basis.”