[o0o0o]

Latest first-time NCLEX pass rates are in and my ADN program is dead last in the state, 53% ...oh crap
Now what? Jump ship? (I'm just finishing the first semester)

[llg]

If transferring to another school is feasible, I would strongly consider it. You are probably not going to get a very good education at the school you are in.

If transferring is not a decent option for you ... then I would be talking about those results out loud, in groups, with your faculty and administration. Ask them what they are doing to address the problems that are causing this poor performance. Ask these questions publically to prevent them from being "swept under the rug." You may also need the support of your fellow students in order to get a positive response from the administration.

Ask them to provide you with diagnostic tests (such as the HESI) periodically so that you can assess where you stand at different points in the program. Taking such tests will also give you practice at taking such tests. Ask them to provide you with an NCLEX review course at the end of your program, etc.

Finally, you'll need to be supportive of the school if they institute reasonable measures to improve. Unfortunately, one reason their pass rates may be so low is because they accpet students into the program who are not academically/intellectually prepared to do college level work. If that is the case, they may be "dummying down" their program in an effort to keep those students from failing the courses. If that is the case, then fixing the problem will be quite painful for those students and you need to be prepared for that very real possibility.