As a result of faculty and student dedication, the 2001 Nicholls bachelor of sciences nursing program was the only registered nursing program in Louisiana to earn a 100 percent passage rate. Students must have all of the requirements completed for the four year BSN program at a Louisiana State Board of Nursing approved school before being eligible to take the exam, Dr. Sue Westbrook, department head of nursing, said.

“I think it is certainly an indicator of a quality program and expert, committed faculty,” she said.

It is rare that every graduate from one school will pass the exam their first time taking it, Westbrook said. It is even more uncommon when the passage rate across the nation continues to decrease, she said.

This is not the first time the BSN program at Nicholls has had a 100 percent pass rate, Westbrook said.

The Nicholls’ BSN average is usually in the 90th percentile.

Fifty-two Nicholls students took the computerized adaptive testing exam in 2001.

The 100 percent passage rate should attract more students to the Nicholls nursing program, Westbrook said, because students want to go to a quality program of study.

According to a Nicholls press release, the national passage rate for 2001 was 85.53 percent and 91.11 percent for Louisiana.

Part of the success of Louisiana’s nursing program can be credited to the fact that when a Louisiana nursing school’s passing rate falls below 80 percent, that school is placed on a conditional approval, Westbrook said.

“If (students) cannot pass the state board licensure exam, they cannot practice, regardless if they have a degree,” she said.

“The licensure exam signifies basic safety and competence of the practitioner. Licensure is really to assure public welfare,” Westbrook said.

Students are only required to take the licensure exam one time. They then complete a certain number of continuing education courses to maintain their licensure, she said.

Dr. Rebecca Lyons, assistant professor of nursing said the 100 percent passage rate is “awesome.”

“It is a testimony to the students and faculty of the University who are committed to the nursing program,” she said.