Nursing Scores Pass Rate of 88.8 Percent

For Release - April 21, 2009

GALLUP— The University of New Mexico-Gallup’s Nursing Program has reported a pass rate of 88.8 percent for the 2009 NCLEX-RN examinations, one of the highest in recent years.

All RN’s are required to take the national certification tests before they can practice. The examinations are conducted by the National Council of State Boards for Nursing through its NCLEX-RN testing program.

“We always try to figure out why when we have an excellent pass rate,” said Marji Campbell, chair of the program. A local nursing advisory committee, which is made up of area professionals employed at hospitals, clinics and offices where UNMG’s nurses will work, has helped boost the pass rate by stressing that the graduates need to take the test soon after graduation. Statistics support that the nursing graduates do much better at the exams if they do not delay taking the NCLEX-RN test.

As usual, enrollment in UNMG’s Nursing Program is at capacity, but Campbell says the faculty are always looking for well qualified applicants. That means students who have “done their research and know about the demands of nursing,” Campbell says, adding that successful applicants should have also done well in their pre-requisite courses, particularly science and math, with at least a C average.

Campbell stressed that successful nursing candidates should also be willing to commit to completing the program in four semesters, as those who try to take one or two courses per semester generally don’t succeed. Further, nursing candidates need to be aware that those with full family support and the time and energy to make their studies their priority are the most likely to succeed in the program.

Currently, the college is taking applications for fall until the end of May. Testing for the program will be done in June.

Mentoring is another means of ensuring that nursing students succeed, Campbell said. To that end, Interim Executive Director Barry Cooney and the UNM-G Nursing Department are hosting an informational get-together in May, where local nurses will be invited to help mentor students. The date and time will be announced.

For more information, contact the Nursing Program at 505.863.7514.