SON graduates excel on nursing licensure test

Graduates of the Radford University School of Nursing (SON) have added additional luster to the school's prestigious reputation.

For 2015, RU SON graduates significantly surpassed the national average on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), the examination for the licensing of nurses that is administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing. RU graduates posted a near-perfect pass rate of 96.4 percent on the NCLEX and exceeded the 84.5 percent national average for Bachelor of Science–Nursing (BSN) programs. Radford’s first-time test takers also exceeded their Virginia colleagues’ pass rate of 87 percent in 2015.

Of the 75 candidates for nursing licensure who took the NCLEX and earned the pin emblematic of a RU BSN upon graduation in May 2015, 73 passed the NCLEX. Nationally, RU has exceeded the NCLEX pass rate average for five consecutive years.

"I am most proud of our students for exceeding all expectations and I am proud of our faculty who work hard each day to teach our students both the art and science of nursing," said Director of the School of Nursing Tony Ramsey. "These test results show the commitment to excellence at both our Radford and Roanoke campuses toward preparing the next generation of outstanding nurses and health care providers."

Internally, the SON Roanoke campus edged the Radford campus, earning a 100 percent passing rate to a 96 percent passing rate. However, 54 Radford campus graduates earned their nursing licensure in 2015 compared to 19 at the Roanoke campus.

Feb 4, 2016