Pictured: Augustana University's Class of 2019 Accelerated Nursing Program students.
The Augustana Nursing Department National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates are increasing due to faculty carefully looking at different areas of curriculum and making adjustments. Using information from the NCLEX test results, Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) standardized exams and student class performance, the Augustana Nursing Program has increased its NCLEX pass rate by 4% since 2018, positioning the university at the top of South Dakota’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs.
The pass rates encompassed the test results of both traditional and accelerated nursing students who completed the NCLEX exam in 2020. The accelerated class of 2019 posted a notable perfect pass rate.
These changes didn’t happen overnight, but through targeted efforts, explained Dr. Lynn White, department of nursing chair and associate professor of nursing.
“When we’ve seen room for improvement, we’ve taken the opportunity to make adjustments,” White said.
The program’s consistent uptick in pass rates show the fruit of their efforts.
In 2018, the pass rate was 93.75%. It increased in 2019, to 95.38% and then to 97.73% in 2020. South Dakota’s pass rate is 92.35%, while the national rate is 87%.
White credits the liberal arts education students receive as the foundation for providing holistic care, as well as our strong clinical faculty and partnerships with health care agencies that provide invaluable hands-on experience. Combined, these formative learning opportunities prepare students to capably navigate the challenging NCLEX exam and the current health care environment.
“The nursing program is rigorous, but the innovative teaching from our faculty in the classroom and simulation and skills lab — paired with clinical learning experiences — provides the foundational knowledge for our graduates to deliver excellent care,” said White.
The Augustana Nursing Program is approved by the South Dakota Board of Nursing and accredited through the American Association of Colleges of Nursing’s Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.