Sandhills Community College announced a remarkable accomplishment by the 2023 class of nursing graduates, who achieved a 100% pass rate on the Next Generation NCLEX (NextGen) exam, formerly known as the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX).
Sandhills Community College has been training the next generation of registered nurses for 57 years. This 74-credit-hour program combines a mixture of classroom lectures, labs, and clinicals. Sandhills has been well-known for the competitiveness of its nursing program, as it accepts 60-75 students per year on average.
Successful completion of the nursing program is a significant milestone for graduates, as it makes them eligible to sit for the NextGen examination, a prerequisite for obtaining their Registered Nurse license through the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON).
Nursing schools undergo yearly evaluations by both boards of nursing and national accrediting bodies. The state accrediting body, NCBON, currently requires that nursing programs maintain a three-year average pass rate at or above 95% of the national pass rate on a student’s first attempt. Meanwhile, the national accrediting body, the National League for Nursing Commission for Nursing Education Accreditation (NLN CNEA), stipulates that programs must achieve a minimum of an 80% pass rate among first-time test takers averaged over three years. The nursing class of 2023 at Sandhills Community College has met and exceeded these rigorous standards.
This cohort was among the first groups nationwide to experience the new NextGen NCLEX exam, which was introduced in April. The NextGen NCLEX was developed utilizing research that better measures a graduate’s ability to practice at the bedside. With a 100% pass rate on their first attempt, this class has demonstrated a level of excellence that is truly commendable. Their success in navigating this new, more challenging exam is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and exceptional instruction.
“Congratulations to the Sandhills Community College Nursing Class of 2023 for their accomplishments, and we wish them continued success in their future careers as registered nurses,” said Sandhills Community College in a press release.
Contributed/Courtesy photo.
