HCC Art Department Hosts 42nd Art Day
Thursday, April 18, marked the 42nd Art Day on the campus of Highland Community College in... Read More
Technical Center’s Practical Nursing Program Earns 100% Pass Rate
published August 25, 2023
One hundred percent of Highland Community College Technical Center (HCCTC) practical nursing students passed the NCLEX-PN exam at the completion of the school year.
A 100% pass rate is exceptional compared with a 65.53% national pass rate posted on the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) website for the first quarter of 2023.
Anna Fowler, HCCTC Director of Nursing, said, “These students were some of the first graduates to be tested using the new Next Gen style of questions. These questions are designed to assess the graduates’ critical thinking and clinical judgement processes. Our faculty attended conferences and webinars about the changes in the NCLEX-PN assessment to prepare the students for this exam. We are very happy that we were able to give these graduates the ability to use those skills to do well on the NCLEX-PN.”
Before nurses may work in the United States, they must pass an exam to become licensed. The National Council Licensure Examination—more commonly referred to as the NCLEX—is a standardized test specifically designed to ensure nurses are ready to start practicing. There are two versions of the test based on education level: Those who have earned a certificate in practical nursing take the NCLEX-PN, while those who have earned an associate or bachelor’s degree take the NCLEX-RN. Both consist of questions that test nursing knowledge as well as presenting scenarios to test a potential nurse’s ability to effectively make decisions, critically parse a complex process and navigate the kinds of tricky situations nurses will face in future workplaces.
According to O-Net Online, employment opportunities for practical nursing (LPN) will grow 6% between 2020 and 2030. The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Employment Projections for 2021-2031 show that the Registered Nursing (RN) workforce is expected to grow by 6% over the next decade. The RN workforce is expected to grow from 3.1 million in 2021 to 3.3 million in 2031, an increase of 195,400 nurses. The Bureau also projects 203,200 openings for RNs each year through 2031 when nurse retirements and workforce exits are factored into the number of nurses needed in the U.S.
To learn more about HCCTC’s practical nursing program in Atchison, visit highlandcc.edu/LPN.
