KENNESAW, Ga. | Mar 20, 2018

97 percent of BSN students attain certification on first attempt

Graduates from Kennesaw State University’s WellStar School of Nursing are earning their professional certifications at a higher rate than the national average.

In 2017, 97 percent of KSU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing graduates passed the National Council Licensure Examination on their first attempt. Nationwide, 87 percent of all first-time candidates passed the licensure exam last year, according to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing.

The National Council Licensure Examination, also known as the NCLEX, is a standardized exam that each state board of nursing uses to determine whether a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. Candidates take the exam after completing an accredited nursing degree.

“Our faculty strive to consistently provide varied clinical experiences and clinical decision-making practice to help students prepare for the exam. Most importantly, our students are excited about beginning their nursing career and they work hard to prepare themselves for this challenge,” said Rebecca Shabo, interim associate director of undergraduate programs and associate professor in the WellStar School of Nursing.

The WellStar School of Nursing is the largest nursing program in north Georgia. Graduates are employed primarily by world-class medical facilities in the Atlanta area, medically underserved regions of the Southeast, and the United States military, according to Shabo.

Kennesaw State’s nursing program is highly competitive. The WellStar School of Nursing typically receives 500 to 800 applications each semester and, of those, accepts 84 students for the traditional bachelor’s degree program and 44 for the Accelerated BSN, an abbreviated four-semester program for students with degrees in other fields of study.

– Paul Floeckher

A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 47,000 students. Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia with 11 academic colleges. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the country and the world. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.