Latest news with #NCLEX-RN
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A heart for healing: Inside Midland College's Nursing Program
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- In a small lab filled with simulation dummies and focused faces, future nurses at Midland College aren't just learning procedures…they're discovering their purpose. For Amanda Tipton, a maternal and pediatric nursing professor, it's about more than instruction. 'We want to see our community with safe, good care provided by the nursing staff in the area,' she said. 'That's where we start. We build from the basics, so there's an assurance these students will go out into the community and make a difference in people's lives and keep people alive. That's what we do.' That mission is matched by impressive results. Midland College's Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program recently achieved a 98.49% NCLEX-RN pass rate, far exceeding the national average of 90.63%. Meanwhile, the college's Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program earned a perfect 100% pass rate, surpassing both state and national benchmarks. 'These outstanding results reflect the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, administration, and most importantly, our students,' said Cindy Madewell, Dean of Health Sciences. 'We are incredibly proud of their achievements and their commitment to providing top-quality health care.' Stacy Salazar, a graduating student, exemplifies that commitment. Her decision to become a nurse was inspired by her experience as a young patient at Cook Children's Hospital. Now, she's preparing to begin her career in the Critical Care Unit at Midland Memorial Hospital. 'I just hope to be the nurse that took care of my grandma when she passed away,' Salazar said. 'Not just focusing on her, but caring for the family during such a difficult time.' Salazar's journey, like many in the program, wasn't easy. 'Time management has been hard…I used to do everything last minute,' she admitted. 'But over time, you get into your rhythm and figure out what works best.' Tipton said that kind of growth is central to the program's design. Many students arrive without fully understanding the demands of nursing school. 'People don't always know how to really study before they get here,' she said. 'Building those habits is essential.' But support at Midland College goes beyond academics. Salazar credits the TimelyCare app, a mental health resource for students, with helping her stay grounded during high-stress semesters. 'I used to be quiet,' she said. 'But now I speak out more…with patients, with classmates, in relationships.' Tipton sees that transformation as a hallmark of the program. 'This work affects people's lives,' she said. 'As an OB nurse, I get to be part of moments people will remember forever. I want my students to love what they do.' As Texas faces a growing demand for skilled nurses, Tipton stressed the accessibility of Midland's pathways. The college offers dual credit options, LVN to RN bridges, and direct-entry routes for high school graduates, creating multiple on-ramps into the field. 'There's always a way in,' she said. Whether students are fresh out of high school or returning to school later in life, Tipton said the diversity in her classroom proves one thing: 'It's never too late to care.' With outstanding exam results, hands-on training, and compassionate instruction, Midland College is shaping the future of health care in the Permian Basin, one well-prepared nurse at a time. For more information about Midland College's nursing programs, visit . Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Northern New Mexico College's newest nurses celebrate 100% pass rate on licensure exam
ESPAÑOLA — Samantha Miller's path to nursing started at the kitchen table. After her father got stitches for a finger injury — and refused to go back to the doctor to have the stitches removed — Miller, then a high school student, stepped up to do the job. She loved it. "I just cut them and pulled them," Miller said of the stitches. "But to me in high school, that was like the coolest thing I'd ever done." Miller is one of about two dozen students set to graduate from Northern New Mexico College's nursing program with an associate degree. After graduating from the Española school, she'll have to pass the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses — or NCLEX-RN exam — before becoming a nurse. Northern's nursing program has a particularly good track record on the test: For the past two years, 100% of its graduates have passed the licensure exam on the first try. The program is small; it generated just 10 new nurses in the Class of 2024, many of whom now have jobs in Northern New Mexico health care facilities. Still, these new nurses are helping to chip away at a shortfall of providers in their communities. Nurses, like most health care professionals, are in short supply across New Mexico. In a July 2023 report to the Legislative Health and Human Services Committee, lobbyists for the New Mexico Nurses Association estimated the profession lacked nearly 7,000 registered nurses. 040825_GC_Nurses03rgb.jpg Carra Webster works from her NCLEX-RN review book alongside other nursing students at Northern New Mexico College in Española on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Webster is beginning a new career after a dozen years as a paralegal. Melanie Colgan, director of Northern's nursing program, attributed the school's recent success to hardworking students and newly implemented support initiatives — which, in typical nurse fashion, involves consistently checking in on students' progress. "We keep an eye on our students just like we do our patients," Colgan said. The NCLEX-RN isn't an easy test. While leading an NCLEX-RN review session Tuesday at Northern, Karen Odell, an educator with nursing school curriculum and exam preparation company ATI, asked students a sample test question: "A fire is forcing evacuation of clients from a nursing unit. Which of the following clients should be evacuated first?" The answer: A client receiving intravenous antibiotics every six hours — because they can walk on their own. Ambulatory patients first, Odell said, then those requiring assistance to evacuate. Colgan said the NCLEX-RN tests students' ability to select the best course of action at a particular moment in a patient's illness or injury. "All of the questions are very application-based, and they are based off of clinical judgment," she said. "You have to decide: What would you do first for this patient? What would your priority be?" After students receive their associate degrees and pass the licensure exam, Colgan said they can work as nurses "anywhere that hires nurses." "Our health care facilities are in desperate need of nurses, and it's even more so in rural areas like Northern New Mexico," she said. 040825_GC_Nurses02rgb.jpg Nursing students April Martinez and Carra Webster attend a NCLEX-RN review session at Northern New Mexico College in Española on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Webster said she was inspired to make a career switch due to the persistent nursing shortage in New Mexico. So, she added, "Our overall goal is to supply as many nurses as we can." Colgan said Northern's nursing program has implemented a series of new initiatives to ensure all of its students graduate and pass the NCLEX-RN. Two years ago, the nursing program implemented peer mentorship, assigning first-year students who wanted some extra guidance with second-years. The program expanded from four mentors to 12 in its second year. The program's faculty offer tutoring and study sessions, too, and a "success coach" swoops in when students' averages dip below 80% to provide tips on time management, best practices for studying and note-taking skills. "We do that before they have that failing grade, so we can catch them before it's too late," Colgan said. For the program's 2025 graduates, that track record of success brings nerves — and excitement. "That's a lot of pressure, I can't lie," joked second-year nursing student Ariana Estrada during Tuesday's NCLEX-RN study session. A few of this year's nursing graduates were inspired to join the profession by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the toll it took on nurses. After a 12-year career as a paralegal, Carra Webster said she decided to retrain as a nurse. "You just heard about the staffing shortages everywhere, and I'm like, 'Oh, I always wanted to be a nurse. Now's the time to go to school,' " she said. Once she passes the NCLEX-RN, Webster has a job lined up in the progressive care unit at Christus St. Vincent Regional Medical School, helping patients recover after leaving intensive care. Monique Salazar said she never planned to go into the health care field; she thought law enforcement would be her thing. But then the COVID-19 pandemic happened and she heard of people who died from COVID-19 without family members at their bedsides. "The nurses were the ones who would support them and be there for them through those times," Salazar said. She added, "I knew I wanted to help people, I just didn't know how — so this is how I'm going to do it."
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Midland College nursing programs achieve outstanding national exam pass rates
Mar. 4—MIDLAND — Midland College is celebrating a remarkable achievement in nursing education, with the 2024 exam results showcasing the strength of its programs. The Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) program achieved a perfect 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), surpassing the national average of 88.35% and the Texas average of 92.9% (2023). This outstanding accomplishment highlights MC's dedication to preparing highly skilled nurses for the workforce. In addition, the Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) program students earned an impressive 98.49% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, significantly exceeding the national average of 90.63% and the Texas state average of 91.15% (2023). The NCLEX is the national standardized exam required for nursing licensure, ensuring that graduates are fully prepared to enter professional practice. "These outstanding results reflect the dedication and hard work of our faculty, staff, administration, and — most importantly — our students," Cindy Madewell, Dean of Health Sciences at Midland College said in a news release. "We are incredibly proud of their achievements and their commitment to providing top-quality health care." Midland College's nursing programs continue to prepare students for success in the ever-evolving health care field. With a strong emphasis on hands-on training, academic excellence, and real-world experience, MC graduates are well-equipped to serve their communities with skill and compassion. Midland College is committed to being a place where graduates' exceptional training reflects real world competencies; where programs and facilities respond to changing employer needs and student demand; and where instruction is delivered by highly skilled faculty, enveloped by cutting edge technology, and supported by effective industry advisory committees. "At Midland College, we take pride in shaping the future of health care for the Permian Basin and beyond," said Michael Dixon, Provost of Midland College. "These results reaffirm our mission to provide top-tier programs and ensure our graduates are prepared to excel in their careers."
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
State University System surpasses the national average on Nursing Licensure Exam
The State University System of Florida (SUS) announced the success of its nursing programs on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Since 2022, Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature have invested $138 million to expand and enhance nursing programs. The main programs affected include the SUS through Prepping Institutions, Programs, Employers, and Learners through Incentives for Nursing Education (PIPELINE) and Linking Industry to Nursing Education (LINE) funds. 'The nursing programs within the SUS have maintained a standard of excellence by ensuring graduates excel on the nursing exam and are prepared to provide quality healthcare to Floridians,' said Chancellor Ray Rodrigues. 'Continued investments in nursing through LINE and PIPELINE will ensure our state remains a top producer of highly skilled nurses.' The nine Florida universities that are above the national benchmark of a 92% passage rate include: Florida Gulf Coast University - 100% University of West Florida - 98% University of Florida - 98% University of South Florida - 97% University of Central Florida - 96% Florida Atlantic University - 94% University of North Florida - 94% Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University - 93% Florida International University - 93% 'Thanks to the ongoing investment from Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature and the dedication of university leadership and faculty, the nursing programs at our public universities consistently deliver impressive results, with notable improvements in passage rates, increased capacity, and a record number of nursing graduates. These achievements are reversing the critical need for nurses across the state,' said Brian Lamb, Chair of the Florida Board of Governors. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live.
