Nursing Students Surpass National Average on Licensure Exam

20 Jan 2022

Graduates of Vermont Technical College’s Practical Nursing (PN) certificate and Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) have exceeded the national average for pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for the third year in a row. The nationwide examination has been in place in the United States since 1982.

“At a time when Vermont is experiencing a nursing crisis, our graduates are coming into the workforce well-prepared to meet the needs of today’s healthcare environments,” said Patricia Moulton, president of Vermont Technical College. “That they have achieved this despite the challenges of learning during a pandemic is even more impressive.”

In 2021, the national NCLEX-ADN pass rate was 80.45%, the lowest in the history of the exam, and the national NCLEX-PN pass rate was 80.01%. At Vermont Tech, the pass rates were 86.7% and 97.9% respectively in 2021.

“There’s a reason why our graduates are passing this exam with flying colors and finding themselves sought after by employers throughout Vermont,” said Lisa Fox, DNP, MS/Ed, BS, RN, CNE, associate dean of nursing at the School of Nursing and Health Professions at Vermont Technical College. “Our students perform a high number of clinical hours in which they engage in hands-on learning. They leave our program ready to hit the ground running.”

Both the Practical Nursing (PN) and Associate of Science in Nursing (ADN) programs have a 100% job placement rate. This applied educational experience is delivered via a hybrid format of classroom learning, clinical training, and telepresence technology modalities.

Students have the option to progress within the program through the bachelor’s degree, or may enter the workforce directly after receiving their certificate or associate degree.

The career ladder approach is provided in a 1+1+2 model which allows for the completion of the PN certificate, which provides eligibility for an LPN license. This may be followed by the completion of the ADN, leading to eligibility for registered nurse (RN) licensure, and culminating with a post-licensure online Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) option.
The PN and ADN programs are offered at 14 locations across Vermont and New Hampshire, including Bennington, Berlin, Brattleboro, Lyndonville, Middlebury, Morrisville, Newport, Randolph, Rutland, St. Albans, White River Junction, and Williston in Vermont and in Hanover and Keene in New Hampshire.