Southern Vermont College Nursing Graduate Nicole Principato of Hull, MA Passes Licensure Exam at 100%

2017 Aug 29

Southern Vermont College (SVC) is pleased to announce that the College's 2017 pre-licensure Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) graduates had a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX is the national standardized examination required for nurses to receive a license to practice their profession.

SVC's cumulative first-time pass rate for the 2016 and 2017 pre-licensure BSN classes is 94.4%, surpassing the 2016 national average of 84.5% and the 2015 Vermont average of 84%.

The following students to recieve the NCLEX-RN are:

NicolePrincipato of Hull, MA

According to SVC Nursing Program Director Dr. Mary Botter, "The Nursing Program faculty and I are proud of our students, graduates and Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program. We have developed a curriculum that is rigorous and informed by our community partners. The NCLEX-RN pass rates are a testament to the hard work of students, faculty, and staff supported by RNs and health care organizations in our region. We are confident our Southern Vermont College graduates will positively influence the health of our community through their work as registered nurses."

SVC President Dr. David R. Evans commented, "Our NCLEX pass rates demonstrate the good work of our students and the strength of our program. Close collaboration between students and faculty, outstanding mentoring, and excellent clinical opportunities prepare our graduates to serve as health care professionals and deliver outstanding patient care. I am very proud of our graduates and look forward to following their careers."

SVC's nursing program has evolved considerably over the past several years, eliminating its associates-degree level to focus solely on the BSN, consistent with the 2010 Institute of Medicine recommendations and white paper published in 2015 by the Vermont Board of Nursing outlining superior patient outcomes from baccalaureate-prepared nurses. In addition, effective October 2014, the program transitioned from Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) accreditation to accreditation by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), the premier accreditor of nursing programs in the United States. Both the pre-licensure BSN and the RN-BSN program are also fully approved by the Vermont Board of Nursing.