Abilene Christian University Bachelor of Science in Nursing students achieved a 100% pass rate for the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses in 2023, one of only six Texas BSN programs with a perfect pass rate. 

The NCLEX-RN is a requirement for nursing graduates to be licensed and able to practice as an RN. The computer adaptive test evaluates competence for entry level practice in a variety of healthcare settings. The national average passing rate for the exam is 88.56%, and the state of Texas average is 91.15%. In 2023, 55 ACU students took and passed the exam.

Dr. Theresa Naldoza, assistant professor, executive director of nursing and associate dean of the College of Health and Behavioral Sciences, advises students approaching graduation to use the resources available to them when preparing to take the exam and to continue studying beyond graduation.

The two years of intense classroom and clinical education provided by ACU’s School of Nursing is designed to prepare students for this exam and for entry level practice. In addition, content-specific exams, comprehensive exams and comprehensive reviews are offered to prepare students. Each exam provides an opportunity to remediate content in order to increase learning, and each semester scaffolds learning from previous semesters to prepare students for practice, Naldoza said.

“Some of the most important qualities of successful students are being inquisitive and exhibiting the desire to not only know ‘what’ but ‘how and why’ something occurs pathophysiologically,” said Naldoza. “They also desire to grow both in knowledge and as a person and professional. There will always be opportunities for growth, so we encourage our students and graduates to take advantage of those.”

Although students take the licensing exam after graduation, all graduating students are recognized during a special Pinning Ceremony each semester. This long-standing tradition dates back to the 1860s and signifies the completion of their nursing education and entry into the profession.  

Learn more about ACU’s School of Nursing and College of Health and Behavioral Sciences. 

— Vivian Banegas
July 9, 2024