Accelerated program graduates reach a 94% pass rate as both programs exceed the national average
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Passing the NCLEX—the National Council Licensure Examination—is required for nursing graduates to become licensed as registered nurses (RN) in the United States and Canada. Studying for the exam begins soon after graduating from nursing school and passing on the first attempt is the goal of aspiring nurses eager to begin their healthcare careers.
UMass Dartmouth's College of Nursing & Health Sciences (CNHS) is proud to announce that the Class of 2023 has achieved a 96% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX, exceeding the national average of 90%.
Graduates of the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program achieved the same feat with a 94% first-time pass rate.
"I am pleased to extend my congratulations to our CNHS Class of 2023 for achieving a 96% pass rate on the NCLEX exam along with my deep appreciation to our faculty for their commitment to our students' education," said Dean Kimberly Christopher. "Nursing is a challenging degree, and these results demonstrate that our students receive excellent preparation for the nursing workforce and are ready to succeed in their careers."
According to Assistant Dean Karen Barnett, the rigorous coursework and exceptional clinical preparation CNHS nursing students receive are contributing factors to the successful pass rate.
"Our faculty and students are committed and dedicated to preparing and achieving NCLEX success," she said. "Faculty contributed by guiding students through the curriculum and supporting them in preparing for the NCLEX. They taught students to apply critical thinking and clinical judgment in the classroom, lab, and clinical settings.
"The NCLEX is an exam that assesses nursing graduates' critical thinking and clinical judgment. In 2023, the newer version of the NCLEX (Next-Gen NCLEX) was implemented as the National Council of State Boards of Nursing introduced major changes to the exam's format with more emphasis on scenario-based problem-solving," Barnett added.
After passing the NCLEX, nursing graduates can begin working as registered nurses. The Class of 2023 enjoys a 95% employment rate 6 months after graduation with an average median salary of $67,500 while 7.5% of the recent graduates are enrolled in further study.
UMass Dartmouth offers three bachelor of science degrees in nursing; the traditional BS, an accelerated BS for those who hold a bachelor’s degree in another major (ABSN), and an online RN-BS program that is individually planned for each student and builds upon the RN’s nursing experience.
Graduate degrees include master of science (online), PhD, doctor of nursing practice (online), and online certificates of advanced graduate study in Adult Gerontology Primary Care and Psychiatric Mental Health for nurse practitioners.