Hesston College School of Nursing Achieves Perfect NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
In late October, Becky Bartell, director of Nursing at Hesston College, announced that HC’s 2020 graduating students achieved a 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate this fall, with nearly 91% of students passing the rigorous licensing exam on their first attempt.
“A 100 percent pass rate would be extraordinary under any circumstances,” said Bartell. “But given the massive disruption in in-class and clinical instruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, never mind the enormous challenges experienced by our students over the last 10 months as they’ve worked to maintain momentum in their studies, this accomplishment seems all the more impressive. It’s a testament not only to the skill, energy, intelligence and persistence of the students in the School of Nursing, but also to our incredible faculty and staff. I couldn’t be more proud.”
The National Council Licensure Examination—or NCLEX-RN—serves as a final test for nursing students to be licensed as a registered nurse. As ATI Testing puts it, “Its purpose is to ensure candidates are prepared to begin work as entry-level nurses. The NCLEX-RN tests candidates on how well they use critical-thinking skills to apply their knowledge to nursing situations and analyze what to do next. Essentially, the test measures how well a candidate thinks like a nurse.”
The national first-time pass rate for the NCLEX-RN has recently fallen to 88%, placing Hesston students comfortably above the national average. Hesston’s first-time pass rate has also risen in the last year despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.
Hesston College School of Aviation Invited to Join Prestigious Intercollegiate Organization
Hesston College’s School of Aviation has been invited to join the National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA). Membership in NIFA offers Hesston College aviation students invaluable opportunities to compete and network with students from some of the largest and most prestigious collegiate flight programs in the United States.
NIFA was formed to advance aviation education and provide opportunities for collegiate aviation communication, cooperation and competition.
Hesston College received its formal invitation to join NIFA as a member of Region VI, which spans much of the northern Great Plains and upper Midwest. Other member schools in Region VI include K-State Polytechnic, Iowa State University, the University of North Dakota and the University of Wisconsin.
Three juniors—Jessica Buckwalter ’21, Ellie Yoder ’21 and Austin Kunert ’21—participated in two NIFA competitions, both conducted virtually. Hesston College aviation students will prepare for additional competitions to be held nationwide in February and March 2021. Due to COVID-19, all flight skill competitions have been canceled for the remainder of the academic year.