NATCHITOCHES – Northwestern State University’s Associate of Nursing (ASN) program was ranked first of 24 RN programs, including all ASN, Bachelor of Science and diploma programs in NSU’s licensing jurisdiction from April 2017 to March 2018. The program ranked first of 1,166 of all similar ASN/RN programs across every jurisdiction in the U.S. and its territories and first of 2,056 of all ASN, BSN, diploma RN programs of every jurisdiction across the U.S. and its territories.
In addition, NSU’s College of Nursing reported a 100 percent pass rate for 84 ASN graduates taking the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) during the same time of the evaluation from April 1, 2017-March 30, 2018. One other school in Louisiana had 44 ASN graduates take the NCLEX for a 100 percent pass rate. All boards of nursing in states and territories of the U.S. require candidates to pass this exam for licensure as a registered nurse.
NSU Administrators say that quality nursing faculty play a large part in student success.
“Our wonderful faculty work diligently with students to ensure each student is successful,” said Dr. Dana Clawson, dean of NSU’s College of Nursing and School of Allied Health. “The two student cohorts that scored 100% were composed of all clinical applicants that met admission criteria. We did not rank and take the best students to achieve this goal. Instead, we treated each student as if they were capable of succeeding, found qualified faculty, accepted all students meeting admission criteria, worked diligently to retain these students, and achieved the 100% pass rate. These students are from Shreveport, Natchitoches, Alexandria and Leesville campuses.”
Clawson said she consistently receives positive feedback about the quality of nurses NSU is producing from nursing professionals and their colleagues.
“Our graduates are prepared to join the nursing workforce to deliver quality nursing care, and exhibit caring nursing behaviors towards every patient. This is often a difficult combination to achieve in only four semesters of an ASN program, and yet our faculty make that happen!” she said.
Northwestern State’s College of Nursing has consistently earned high rankings in recent years from Nonprofit Colleges Online, BestNursingColleges.com, U.S. News and World Report and other sources. Earlier this year, the nurse practitioner program was ranked the seventh best program in the U.S. by guidetoonlineschools.com. Last year, NSU’s graduate nursing program was ranked first in the U.S. by Top Master’s in Healthcare Administration.
NSU was the first public college in Louisiana to offer a bachelor’s degree in nursing in 1951. In 2002, the program was recognized as the first Louisiana RN to BSN program that was offered online.
NSU offers an Associate of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, LPN to ASN, LPN to BSN, RN to BSN program, Master of Science in Nursing and a Doctor of Nursing Practice. Classes are available on Northwestern State campuses in Shreveport, Alexandria, Leesville/Fort Polk, DeRidder and Natchitoches.
Information on Northwestern State’s nursing programs are available at nursing.nsula.edu.