South Carolina State University’s registered nursing program saw about 25 percent of its graduates pass the licensed nursing exam in 2008, the lowest rate among 26 colleges and universities in the state.

S.C. State had 12 of its students take the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nurse last year for the first time.

Three passed.

The test examines a person’s entry-level nursing competency. It is also the test that allows the nurses to put “R.N.” or registered nurse after their names.

S.C. State’s pass rate is well below the 87.34 percent state average passing rate for the exam in 2008. The national average pass rate on the test was 86.73 percent for the year.

The rates are based on students testing between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2008. The results only include first-time takers of the NCLEX. The results were released in March 2009.

The university had the lowest number of students in the state take the test.

The 25 percent pass rate comes after four years of steady improvement for S.C. State students taking the NCLEX.

In 2004, the pass rate was 37.93 percent; in 2005, 46.67 percent; in 2006, 80 percent, and in 2007, 82.35 percent.

The five-year average pass rate for S.C. State first-time takers of the NCLEX is 54.39 percent.

The statewide five-year average pass rate is 87.228 percent. The national five-year average is 86.57 percent.

Officials cite

improvements

University officials say while they are disappointed in the results of the 2008 exam, in the bigger picture, second-time test takers had a pass rate of 77.7 percent.

“When you look at the total picture, we have an outstanding program,” said Dr. Rita Teal, S.C. State’s interim vice president for academic affairs.

Teal said a testament to the success of the nursing program is the vote of confidence the university received in April from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, a national accrediting body for nursing programs.

The program received a 10-year national accreditation from the CCNE.

She also said the 2008 test results included at least three students who were not recent graduates of the university. Those students graduated as much as six years ago.

But Teal said the results are also attributable, in part, to the nursing program’s staff turnover during the year.

“We had a transition in our leadership and turnover in some of our faculty,” she said. “Sometimes new people have new ideas.”

As a result of staff changes, she said some of the support services for the nursing students suffered.

“We have reinstated those support services,” she said. “We are also looking for additional faculty and enhancing the curriculum by adding and modifying some courses.”

Dr. Jennifer Butlin, director of the CCNE, said S.C. State’s pass rate does “raise flags” of concern about the program, but it is not something that would necessarily require immediate action.

“Nursing programs are required to notify the CCNE of any substantive change that affects the quality of the program,” Butlin said. A 25 percent pass rate would be considered a substantive change.

“It is a significant concern to any accreditation body,” she said.

Butlin would not comment on specifics as to what may or may not be done in S.C. State’s case, explaining that details and a further analysis of the data would be required.

But she said there are a number of actions the CCNE could take. Those could include a shorter accreditation term, requiring greater accountability and making more on-site visits.

Despite the low 2008 pass rate, Butlin did confirm that the university has already taken steps to revamp its curriculum and prepare students for the NCLEX exam.

Butlin said S.C. State’s program was first reviewed by the CCNE in November 2003 and was then awarded a five-year accreditation.

She said the CCNE received a progress report from the university in December 2005 and hosted a site visit in November 2008.

She also noted that the university has seen improvement in its program from 2004 to 2007, with 2008 being the first downturn.

“It would be more of a concern if there were a consistently low pass percentage with large numbers of students taking the test,” Butlin said.

Program history

S.C. State’s nursing program has been an issue for the university for several years.

The failure of the university’s nursing program to meet standards was cited by the S.C. State Board of Trustees as one of the reasons for the 2007 firing of then-President Dr. Andrew Hugine. Hugine disputed the board’s claims and noted the program’s significant improvement under his watch.

About six years ago, S.C. State closed its old nursing program and teamed up with faculty at the nursing and public health schools at the University of South Carolina and the Medical University of South Carolina.

The partnership was intended to test students early and often.

South Carolina Nursing Association President Vicky Green, who has taught at S.C. State and serves as the nursing director at Orangeburg’s DHEC office, says the pass rate is a concern to the association.

“We need minority nursing students,” Green said. “Most hospitals, when the economics get bad, they cut back on the nursing staff and you have a lower nurses per patient ratio. People don’t want to stay in that environment. It is stressful.”

Green said while the SCNA aims to identity resources and strives to help with recruitment efforts, the ultimate responsibility for the success of a nursing program resides on the university level.

Judith Thompson, executive director of the SCNA, echoed Green’s concerns.

“The opportunities of nurses that are licensed and practice does not mirror the population of the United States,” she said. “It has never mirrored the minority population in South Carolina.”

Thompson said the NCLEX is crucial because without it, students cannot practice.

“It is a testament to the fact that the person who holds the license ... is minimally safe to practice nursing,” she said. “It is a sad day for those young people who have high hopes go on with their lives.”

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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