Georgia Gwinnett College’s nursing class of 2024 has achieved “perfection,” with a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination. All 63 graduates from the Bachelor of Science in Nursing program passed the exam on their initial attempt, according to a news release.
The achievement stands out against both state and national benchmarks. Georgia’s state average for first-time NCLEX pass rates is 89.8%, while the national average for baccalaureate programs is 90.17%, the news release states. GGC’s nursing program has maintained excellence with a 94.63% first-time pass rate over the past four years.
“The NCLEX exam is tough, but it’s a way to ensure that nurses have the knowledge needed to provide safe and effective care for their patients,” said Dr. Paula Gordon, interim dean for the School of Health Sciences and associate professor of nursing.
GGC’s nursing program utilizes a flipped classroom model for curriculum delivery. Students apply their knowledge in two modern simulation labs, including a high-tech facility with manikins that mimics clinical spaces. The program also features a unique apartment setting where students learn to provide home care services.
Credit: Photo by Daniel Melograna/Georgia Gwinnett College.
Credit: Photo by Daniel Melograna/Georgia Gwinnett College.
“We take a real-world, hands-on approach to everything our students learn in the classroom,” said Gordon. “It’s one thing to learn things from a book, but it’s another to take that knowledge and apply it in situations.”
The program prepares graduates for diverse career paths across various health care settings, including hospitals, clinics, home health agencies and specialized care facilities. BSN-prepared nurses earn a median salary of $86,070 nationally, with Georgia nurses earning a median of $75,348 annually, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. BSN graduates typically earn nearly $4 more per hour than those with an associate degree.
With GGC’s nursing program combining great clinical partnerships and modern facilities, said Gordon, it’s no wonder its students graduate with a 100% job placement rate.
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