ANC's Associate Degree (RN) Nursing Graduates Performing at the Highest Level

ANC’s Associate Degree (RN) Nursing Graduates Performing at the Highest Level

Despite the challenges faced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Arkansas Northeastern College’s most recent Associate Degree Nursing graduates obtained a 100% licensure pass rate. This is an amazing accomplishment under normal circumstance, but with the sudden changes the pandemic forced on the program and students in the spring semester, this year’s pass rate is especially gratifying.

The licensure pass rate is based on completion of the National Council Licensure Exam for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The NCLEX-RN is the exam nursing graduates take to obtain their RN license once they have completed an RN program. The 100% pass rate reflects all first-time testers from July 1, 2019- June 30, 2020. For ANC there were a total of 35 graduates from the RN program who tested (29 from the 2020 class and 6 from the 2019 class).

ANC’s Associate Degree Nursing Program’s perfect pass rate was well above the state average for RN programs which was 84.9%, and also above the national average of 87.9%. These scores reflect the learning that was accomplished amid alternative course delivery and clinical setting changes. While the world has experienced changes due to the pandemic, the health care industry faced immediate, major changes that affected the method in which allied health students could continue their studies. This involved a move to ZOOM teleconferencing and online teaching from the onset of COVID-19 as well as utilizing virtual simulation and other exercises to a higher degree due to the inability to access healthcare facilities for on-site clinical learning. ANC nursing faculty worked earnestly to continue to prepare students in an ever-changing learning environment.

“We are so proud of how well the students did on their licensure exam especially considering the fact that the last eight weeks we completed all class content by ZOOM and clinical hours using virtual simulations, case studies, and other critical thinking activities. We honestly didn’t know what to expect and we were obviously thrilled by the results,” said ANC Director/Associate Professor of Associate Degree Nursing Tonya Pankey, M.S.N.,R.N., C.N.E.

“We are becoming more and more acclimated to new delivery methods for teaching and

communicating with our students,” said ANC Dean for Allied Health Brenda Holifield, M.S.N, R.N. “This has been a learning process for all of us and I am proud of the way we have all responded. Both our faculty and our students are working hard, and I believe the excellent pass rates are evidence of that hard work.”

With new processes currently in place in the Allied Health Division, Holifield is encouraging those interested in pursuing a nursing career to check out what ANC has to offer and to start now. Both the Associate Degree Nursing (RN) and the Practical Nursing (LPN) programs are currently accepting applications for their next cohort, which will begin in August 2021.

“If students will begin the application process now for the nursing programs, then they have the opportunity to complete prerequisites next semester before the next nursing class starts in the fall,” said Academic Advisor and Career Specialist for Allied Health Programs, Jackson Neil, R.N., B.S.N. Neil also added that now is the perfect time to explore interests in other allied health programs too, such as emergency medical technician, paramedic, nursing assistant and phlebotomy which all begin new classes in January.

“Students interested in our allied health programs, especially nursing and paramedic should not wait. Students can begin the application process now. Those interested are strongly encouraged to contact Mr. Neil as soon as possible to begin the process at 870-838-2984 or emailing him at jneil@smail.anc.edu ,” said Holifield.