Nclex passing rate of 74.8%

csm99 · Mar 4, 2009

That is really low. My school has a 100% NCLEX pass rate. I would go somewhere with atleast 95% pass rate.

greeniebean · Mar 4, 2009

My school has a 97% pass rate.

Even though the school you want to go to has more flexible hours, a FOURTH of their students aren't passing the NCLEX so is it worth it to take that chance?

Good luck to you!!

guiltysins · Mar 4, 2009

If you look on the NYS Education department you'll see that only 68% of Farmingdale passed in 07 which was a sharp dip from 06. Nassau and Queensborough both had 89% in 07 so at least you know they are staying consistent.

Aside from just looking at the percentage you also have to take into account the number of people that took it and passed it because sometimes the percentages sound low but because the number of students taking it were low, it gets thrown off a little.. Nassau only had 16 out of 148 fail, Queensborough had 14 people out of 138 fail and Farmingdale had 41 out of 131 fail the exam.

http://www.op.nysed.gov/nurseprogs-nclex-rn.htm

Natingale, EdD, RN · Mar 4, 2009

i heard one year NCC had a 100% passing rate

i heard.

And yes im a NCC student lol, and no i didnt make it up. One of the professors mentioned it last semester

amjowens · Mar 5, 2009

That is a low pass rate. I'd only invest in a school with at least a 90% pass rate. I'm sure the school is just as worried as the students, though. The schools must maintain a certain pass rate (this is why some are trying to weed out students from even getting a chance to take the NCLEX by using standardized exit exams themselves). The pass rate really reflects the quality of the school.

My school had an either a 97 or 98% (can't remember which) the semester before last, and a 100% pass rate last semester. We use ATI at our school, and that stuff is tough, tougher than traditional NCLEX material in my opinion.

northern_RN · Mar 11, 2009

I agree with the above posts. Schools need to keep pass rates up to stay out of trouble with the state board of nursing. I wouldnt go as far as to say you shouldn't attend that school. My guess is that school just hasn't figured out that trick of using ATI or other standardized test to weed out the students that most likely will not pass boards. They will.

It could be that school has such low pass rates because they let anyone into their program and as long as you get Cs you pass. The other schools could be much more selective on what students they will let into nursing programs improving their odds of students that will pass NCLEX.

Now, the decision to attend is yours. If you are a good student and are going to put the effort in you can learn. I was in the same class with students that didn't pass and I got a quality education and passed boards easily.

If you are not a good student this might be the best school for you because they obviously don't fail students and you can still try to take the boards and be a nurse. Just don't be surprised when they catch on to the standardized test in an effort to improve their numbers. OR they will mandate certain grades to pass from one semester to the next to weed out the poor students. Nursing programs are notorious for expecting higher standards in their classes. In mine 94% and higher was an A not a 90%. Which means passing with a C is 80% or better not the 76% in traditional classes.

llg, PhD, RN · Mar 11, 2009

One word of caution:

The NCLEX pass rate tells only part of the story. Many schools "manipulate" their pass rates to keep them high by using a couple of tricks that you should be aware of.

1. Some schools require their students to pass an exit exam (such as the HESI test) after they finish their required classes but before they will let them officially graduate. They do that to "screen out" people at risk for failing the NCLEX. For example: 50 people may take their final course and be ready to graduate -- but only 30 people pass the exit exam. Those other 20 people are not endorsed by the school to take the NCLEX and therefore they cannot take the exam. That keeps the school's pass rate looking good even though 40% of their class was allowed to officially graduate and sit for the licensing exam. Does that make sense?

2. Some schools do essentially the same thing without using a particular test as an exit exam. They take the student's money for a couple of years and "pass them along" from course to course. Then, those who are not doing well are flunked out in their last semester or two. Again, that way, the schools gets to keep the money the student spent on the first couple of semesters, but that student is not allowed to graduate and take the NCLEX.

Here is an extreme (fake) example to illustrate how these two "tricks" might look.

1. 200 students admitted to the program

2. 10 student flunk out in the first couple of semesters. Others squeek by with a little remedial work and/or "extra credit" etc. ... but are allowed to pass.

3. 40 students flunk out in the last semester. Many of these were those students who had been borderline in previous semesters, but they gave them "another chance." It can seem to be the kind thing to do ... but sometimes, it just prolongs the inevitable failure of the student and costs those students money.

4. 50 students fail the exit exam after having passed all of their courses. They are not allowed to graduate with their classmates until they take a remedial course designed to improve their performance on standardized tests. Some will pass that remedial course and be allowed to take the NCLEX. Others will not and never be allowed to take the NCLEX.

5. 100 students graduate on time and take the NCLEX. 90 of them pass on their first attempt at the NCLEX.

Such a school has a 90% pass rate because 90 of those 100 students who were allowed to take the exam passed on the first try. But 90 out of the original 200 is only 45% of the students who started the program. 90 out of the 150 who successfully completed all of their coursework and paid all that tuition is only 60%.

I know lots of really bad schools that have high NCLEX pass rates by doing such things ... but do you really want to go to a school that treats its students like that?

Lesson: Look at all the numbers and ask about their philosophy, the reasons for why students fail to complete the program on time, etc. before you make your decsion. Don't be fooled by a school that recruits you by marketing its high NCLEX pass rate if that rate is maintained by treating its students badly (e.g. by taking their money, but providing a poor education, then flunking those out at the last minute who aren't good at taking standardized tests.)

HouTx, BSN, MSN, EdD · Mar 11, 2009

You are wise to look into NCLEX pass rates as part of your choice of school. Schools are generally put on 'warning' with pass rates less than 80%. If they don't improve within a specified period of time, they will lose NLN accreditation.

~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN · Mar 11, 2009

if what I was told was accurate info, our state average is 69% :| But my schools rate is 92% They accept 35 students a semester and have a pass rate for the NS program of 70%

belladciccio · Aug 10, 2009

Cmon people!!! Pass rates are BS! We all take the same exam! I am a Farmingdale student, and let me tell you .....THEY WILL NOT BABY YOU!!! They do no stop people from taking the Nclex LIKE NASSAU!!!! You are responsible for your education just as more than the school. Farmingdale has been accredited for years and years, and has been approved again! Farmingdale is just as tough as any program and if you cant handle the material and experience YOU WILL FAIL the NCLEX. So if you are not an independent student, and need your hand held to learn than no....Farmingdale is not for you.

kgh31386, BSN, MSN, RN · Aug 10, 2009

My schools NCLEX pass rate went from 97% in 2007 to in the 82% in 2008. So now they're making students take an entrance exam, making students take certain pass/fail CPE's even though we paid our first semester to take an entire class on stuff. I think the problem is not with the cirriculum or the school, but some students are openly cheating and bragging. I've told my classmates, some may cheat their way through school, but the NCLEX will get 'em. Unfortunately it's punishing the rest of us and honestly just making me really mad. My school admits they are "experimenting" with new tactics to keep their rates up, but they're failing out students in the process..yet some people who are handing down old tests, are cheating on through. Yet some students are failing because they have to work harder and honestly.