Nursing grads earn high test scores
By Destanie Ellis, News Writing Student
The nursing graduates at OCCC have exceeded the state and national pass rates on their license test, known as NCLEX-RN exams, said Rosemary Klepper, nursing program director.
Klepper said the NCLEX-RN is a national licensure exam for registered nurses.
The NCLEX-RN pass rate for OCCC graduates in 2008 was 92.78 percent, exceeding the state pass rate by seven percentage points and the national pass rate by six percentage points, she said.
She said 182 nurses graduated in the 2007-2008 school year.
This is not the first time OCCC students have performed so well, Klepper said. Nursing graduates also exceeded the state and national pass rates in 2003, 2004 and 2007.
Klepper attributed their success to a nursing program that not only prepares the students in taking their test, but also to be good nurses.
“Our curriculum prepares students to take the exam, that is our job,” she said.
“We also use computerized support materials throughout our program to help students prepare for the licensure exam and for being safe entry-level RNs.”
Before they can be approved to take the exam, nursing graduates must apply to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing, or to another state where they expect to practice.
In addition, a licensure exam review course is offered on campus for students who wish to take advantage of it, Klepper said.
A company called Assessment Technologies Institute provides the course at OCCC for nursing students.
Nursing graduates from many Oklahoma programs come to the college to take the review class.
The course will be hosted on campus May 27 through 29.
Graduates have to pay for the course, Klepper said.
For more information, please contact Klepper at 405-682-1611, ext. 7289, or e-mail rklepper@occc.edu.
