[HappyNurse2005]

from yesterday's paper...will link to rest of article.

this also happens to be where I graduated from....

Friday, December 09, 2005
Nursing programs get good bill of health

Nursing school graduates enter a job market rich with opportunity because of Virginia's nurse shortage, which is expected to last until at least 2020.

By Jeff Sturgeon

The best two-year nursing school in the state, as judged by graduates' success in passing the nursing licensure exam, appears to be Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke.
The program has had an unparalleled run, earning a pass rate of 97 percent or higher for five years running. It is on its way to another such year in 2005.

During the first nine months of this year, 43 of 44 first-time takers who graduated from Virginia Western passed the exam for a pass rate of 98 percent. This is one of the schools on which many hospitals, nursing homes and physician offices in Western Virginia depend to train this and next year's new nurses.

(for whole article...
http://www.roanoke.com/business/wb/43873

[Marie_LPN]

I can believe it. Their reputation has been impecable.

[Havin' A Party!]

Congrats, Happy!

Don't wanna put a damper on the topic at hand. However, many schools with these kinds of stats are oftentimes subsequently found to be "avoiding" certain classes of students... pre-screening out more "community-type folk." Some entities know how to hide this well.

Of course, not saying this is what's happening at VW.

[HappyNurse2005]

However, many schools with these kinds of stats are oftentimes subsequently found to be "avoiding" certain classes of students... pre-screening out more "community-type folk." Some entities know how to hide this well.

See, thats not hte case w/ VWCC. We had many lower income folk. Many on financial assistance, many on some sort of public assistance, too.
They have such a high success rate b/c they weed out anyone who is marginal. THey certainly aren't holding anyone's hand thru the program. It's tough.
IN my time there, they just weren't very forgiving or hand holding, and some could be mean.

[sjrn85]

Originally Posted by Havin' A Party!

Congrats, Happy!

Don't wanna put a damper on the topic at hand. However, many schools with these kinds of stats are oftentimes subsequently found to be "avoiding" certain classes of students... pre-screening out more "community-type folk." Some entities know how to hide this well.

Of course, not saying this is what's happening at VW.

That's pretty offensive. Do you have any proof of what you're saying?

I graduated from a program that had a similar reputation for excellence; 100% pass rate for 10y in a row at one point. The only people who were screened out were people who didn't meet academic standards. Race/socioeconomic status had no bearing whatsoever.

Unfortunately, it went the way of many hospital based diploma programs, but back in the day, it was the top school in the state.

[Havin' A Party!]

Originally Posted by sjrn85

... Do you have any proof of what you're saying?...

FWIW, you may wanna re-read my post.

[sjrn85]

I did, and I didn't see any facts to support your allegation.

[geekgolightly]

I know nothing about the school in WV, but I did want to add something about the school I attended...

My community college did have a way to improve their stats... they wouldn't let anyone "graduate" without making over X amount on the HESI, thereby improving their statistics of those who graduated and subsequently passed the NCLEX.

[vamedic4]

Congrats to VWCC!!! That's pretty awesome - and btw guys it's in VIRGINIA...just the western part of the state. I graduated from JCHS in Roanoke so it's nice to see a Va. school get such recognition.