‘Of 16 NMC nursing graduates in 2012, only 3 pass NCLEX’

Graduates of the Northern Marianas College’s nursing program posted a 33-percent passing rate in the National Council Licensure Examination in 2012, based on data recently presented to the Board of Regents.

Based on the April monthly report of NMC president Dr. Sharon Y. Hart to the board, only three students who graduated in May 2012 from the nursing program successfully passed the national licensure exam for nurses.

The report indicated that NMC had 16 students that graduated from its nursing program in May 2012. Of this number, nine were tracked that took the NCLEX on their first try and only three passed.

NCLEX is an examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States. There are two types: the NCLEX-RN and the NCLEX-PN. After graduation from a school of nursing, one takes the NCLEX exam to receive his or her nursing license. A nursing license gives an individual permission to practice nursing, granted by the state where he or she meets the requirements.

“The pass rate for 2012 graduates is at 33 percent. The NCLEX-RN review course was offered by CDI during June/July 2012, but many of these graduates did not attend the review as they preferred to study on their own and avoid paying for an NCLEX-RN review course,” states Hart’s report, which was presented during last week’s board meeting.

Hart’s report also indicated that the nursing program is now initiating the implementation of the National League for Nursing Diagnostic Readiness Test, which predicts the student’s probability of passing the NCLEX-RN exam and identifies the areas that need more attention, their studying or review becomes more effective, and the odds of NCLEX success increase when students know where their strength and weaknesses lie.

The initial date of implementation is set for May 9, 2014, according to the report.

“We have been considering the use of the National League for Nursing Diagnostic Readiness Test during Cycle 6 of Program Review. That consideration will soon materialize because on Feb. 7, 2014, PO (purchase order) was generated to purchase Diagnostic Readiness Test for RN booklets for our current nursing students to take in preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam after graduation,” said the president’s report.

Hart also reported that the college hired on Jan. 2 Yuhe Choi, a registered nurse, to work in the nursing department.