The National Council of State Boards of Nursing has announced a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for Louisiana Tech University’s 2015 winter and spring quarter nursing graduates. Louisiana Tech’s 100 percent pass rate far exceeds the 86.8 percent NCLEX-RN pass rate reported by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, for all U.S.-educated, first-time test takers for this test period. The NCLEX-RN is a nationwide examination that tests the knowledge and skills of a nursing program graduate in order to receive his or her nursing license. It is designed to ensure safe and effective practices for entry-level registered nurses. “This outstanding achievement is a reflection of the dedication and excellence of Louisiana Tech nursing students and faculty,” said Dr. Donna Hood, director of the division of nursing in Louisiana Tech’s College of Applied and Natural Sciences. “This is a very rigorous nursing curriculum, but Louisiana Tech attracts excellent students who are committed to the intense preparation required to enter the nursing profession. “Louisiana Tech nurses are highly-recruited throughout the region and are employed throughout Louisiana and across the U.S. Not only have our graduates demonstrated excellence in their first-time pass rates, they have a 100 percent job placement rate with the majority accepting positions prior to their graduation.” The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of registered nurses to grow 19 percent from 2012 to 2022. Demand for nurses is expected to increase with the aging population and the growing number of people with access to healthcare services. The Division of Nursing at Louisiana Tech University has been helping to meet this need through its rich 40-year history of preparing excellent registered nurses. “The 100 percent first-time pass rate for Louisiana Tech’s 2015 winter and spring quarter nursing program graduates demonstrates the preparation of our students and the overall quality of our program,” said Dr. Gary Kennedy, dean of the College of Applied and Natural Sciences. “We are striving to meet the workforce demand for registered nurses, now, and in the future. As the needs of the nursing profession evolve, we are committed to further developing our program to meet those needs. “The 100 percent first-time pass rate is a clear indication of the capability of our faculty to successfully prepare students as high demand nursing professionals.” For more information on Louisiana Tech’s nursing program, please visit http://ans.latech.edu/nursing.