PITTSFIELD, MA – Berkshire Community College’s (BCC) 2018 Associate’s Degree in Nursing (ADN) students who sat for their first time in the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) scored an 84%, higher than the pass rate necessary for regular accreditation as stipulated by the Accreditation Commission in Education for Nursing (ACEN) in a 12-month period. The NCLEX is a standardized exam that each state board of nursing uses to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice.
In 2017, the first-time nursing students in the ADN program NCLEX pass rate was 74%, necessitating a review by ACEN and resulting in the BCC ADN program receiving an Approval with Warning status from the Massachusetts Board of Registered Nurses (MABORN). Prior to 2017, the ADN NCLEX first-time exam scores were consistently above 80%.
“The NCLEX is a nationwide exam administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing to determine if a new nursing graduate has the knowledge, skills, and abilities to deliver safe, effective nursing care,” Jennifer Berne, Vice President for Academic Affairs, explained. “As we work with our accreditors to demonstrate our adherence to national standards, we are proud that our graduates continue to achieve at a high rate. The success of our graduates is a testimony to the quality of students, faculty, and staff at BCC. Our clinical partners also play a strong role in helping us prepare graduates, and we are very grateful for their ongoing support and commitment to the nursing program at BCC.”
The recent improvement in first-time pass rates can be attributed to the strength and diligence of the BCC nursing faculty, explains Christine Martin, Interim Director of Nursing at the College, “The on-campus ADN faculty has more than 76 years of combined teaching experience at BCC. Our students are well-prepared for employment as entry-level registered nurses.”
The College has worked diligently to improve the ADN program and expects to receive full accreditation and a return to full approval status over the next several months.
In the Practical Nursing program at BCC, which is not under any review or warning status, the first time NCLEX exam takers achieved an 80% pass rate in 2018 and achieved above an 80% for the past few years as well.
About Berkshire Community College
Berkshire Community College (BCC) is a public, fully accredited, community college offering associate degree and certificate programs, as well as various other educational opportunities, primarily to the residents of Berkshire County and surrounding areas. Visit BCC online at www.berkshirecc.edu.