Nursing School Graduation Percentages

SarasotaRN2b · Aug 17, 2008

Unfortunately it appears that within the last couple of classes, the NCLEX pass rate has also suffered. I believe that is another reason why they are changing the requirements both to get into the program and to stay in. My first semester I had a 91 average, bordering on A/B, this semester it'll be a firm B if I can stay the same and to be honest, I'll be happy with that (although I will of course work hard to get an A).

chevyv, BSN, RN · Aug 17, 2008

I understand it's important to inquire about the NCLEX pass rate, but I would want to know how many graduate. I don't know very many students that graduate and just take their boards. Most of us study and study and study. There was a 3rd semester class just ahead of me that had a 95% fail rate! I'm not sure if the school is still on probation, but things sure did get shaken up. There is a tech college that states their grad rate as well as the NCLEX pass rate in a city close by. They have recently changed their requirements for grad and this past year only about 29% graduated. I think it's imortant for a school to let their prospective students know (especially if asking) the grad %. If they have 100% NCLEX pass rate and only 29% grad rate, I'd rather take my chances elsewhere.

pharmgirl · Aug 17, 2008

I'm not sure what the overall average attrition rate is among RN programs in the U.S. Not to flame anyone, but I suspect that it is probably higher among community colleges for 2 reasons: 1.) Most offer selection by lottery to students who have completed certain preprequisites and maintained a minimum GPA. Admission does not necessarily go to those with the best academic performance or relevant experience. 2.) Many community college programs cater to non-traditional students, who may have more difficulty maintaining home, work and school than your average 19-year old college student with few outside responsibilities. I would guess that private colleges probably have the lowest attrition rate, simply because they are highly motivated to hold onto students who are paying tens of thousands of dollars in tuition every year.

I do understand the theory behind this and would tend to agree. However, maybe my school is just different. My Community College graduates 80% of the original class (found out by talking with students only) and enjoys a 98% pass rate in 2007 NCLEX (haven't found 2008 yet). Whereas the private university 2 miles away graduates a very small percentage and has actually been on probation 2x because of the lack of passing NCLEX and graduations.

This university basically takes anyone into their program that can afford to pay the 15,000 a semester fee. They are very aggressive in recruiting and hold up many smoke screens when it comes to actual scholarships/aid. The community college has very difficult requirements and a "formula" they use in order to make their application selections, so that acceptance into the program is based on merit.

Another point which I have learned from personal experience, while the students attending a community college may be non-traditional students with families and jobs, they are also the ones more committed to an education. Often it is their second time around and they are going to do whatever it takes to get it done. Whereas the 19 yr old who's mommy and daddy are paying for them to go to a university is more likely to major in beer and parties.

So I guess the ball rolls both ways :)

CuriousMe · Aug 17, 2008

I'm not sure what the overall average attrition rate is among RN programs in the U.S. Not to flame anyone, but I suspect that it is probably higher among community colleges for 2 reasons: 1.) Most offer selection by lottery to students who have completed certain preprequisites and maintained a minimum GPA. Admission does not necessarily go to those with the best academic performance or relevant experience. 2.) Many community college programs cater to non-traditional students, who may have more difficulty maintaining home, work and school than your average 19-year old college student with few outside responsibilities. I would guess that private colleges probably have the lowest attrition rate, simply because they are highly motivated to hold onto students who are paying tens of thousands of dollars in tuition every year.

Maybe other places are different, but here in Oregon, Community Colleges (with some few exceptions) have competitive admissions, and are very difficult to get into.

Additionally non-traditional students tend to have higher GPA's than their younger colleagues. My personal hypothesis as to why non-traditional folks tend to have higher grades is that not only do they have more to lose if they don't succeed, but they aren't dealing with the--living away from home for the first time/demanding social life----kinds of drama.

Peace,

CuriousMe

AtomicWoman · Aug 17, 2008

The graduation/attrition rate is important because it tells me how SUPPORTIVE the faculty and school are of the students they admit. And it also tells me if the school just admits a bunch of people to grab some quick tuition from them and fail them, or if they carefully choose who they admit and then work with those students to maximize the students' success.

I agree with some of the other posters that nursing schools have been doing a fine job of protecting their precious 95% NCLEX pass rates. But the students who fail out or who are forced out for various reasons become the "collateral damage" in that perfect NCLEX pass rate quest. I am NOT saying unqualified students should be admitted. I'd rather know that a school has very high standards for admission AND that they support the students they DO admit.

SarasotaRN2b · Aug 18, 2008

The graduation/attrition rate is important because it tells me how SUPPORTIVE the faculty and school are of the students they admit. And it also tells me if the school just admits a bunch of people to grab some quick tuition from them and fail them, or if they carefully choose who they admit and then work with those students to maximize the students' success.

Actually, I do have to say that even though my class had a high attrition rate (15/43 withdrew or didn't pass), it wasn't lack of support from the school. I think the school realized that they needed to raise their entrance requirements in the prereqs because as much as you wish differently, not everyone that takes A&P I/II and gets the minimum of a C should be a nurse. If they are having that difficult a time in the prereqs, the nursing program is really difficult.

*LadyJane* · Aug 18, 2008

To the original poster:

Read and reread what Jolie posted (at the top of this page.)

She is quite correct about graduation rates versus NCLEX pass rates. When selecting a college to attend for your nursing education, find out if your graduation is only allowed if you pass the HESI test. The HESI test is a test that many nursing schools use as a predictive test that lets them know if you will pass NCLEX or not. You must score a certain point score (it varies from school to school), and if you don't pass, they will not allow you to graduate from the program. Some schools have not allowed the majority of the class to graduate, and those students are totally out of luck. They studied, they paid their money, they spent their time, they gave up other opportunities, and what do they have? NOTHING to show for their efforts.

You might want to read this thread which is highly instructive. See:

https://allnurses.com/forums/f17/hesi-exit-test-207283.html

Also, Curious me is quite correct about community colleges in Oregon. They are quite competitive. High gpa's and completion of most all of the non-nursing classes (in addition to the prerequisites) prior to beginning the nursing classes are pretty much the rule. Very few people here don't pass HESI, but the class is a small one to begin with (well under 50 students).

rhondaa83 · Aug 18, 2008

I've ran into a brick wall when I asked an administrator at the college "what percentage of students who are admitted in nursing programs actually graduate?" I was informed that information was tightly controlled.
Are those percentages available anywhere else?
I want to know that after spending countless hours and thousands of dollars that if I study hard and am a diligent student I will graduate and pass the RN exam.
Thanks,
Bo, future RN

Just for the mere fact that you are questioning this, I am absolutly positive that you would pass. CHILLAX:heartbeat

amyb2684 · Aug 18, 2008

I think that the % that passes NCLEX is more important; however, the instructors teaching ability comes into question if too many students do not pass through certain areas of the program. It is a balance between everything that makes one school's program better or more effective than the next. I live in an area with a University and a CC and the CC has WAY better reputation than the University. They feuded a few years back by running nasty stories publicly in the paper. This was stemmed from the Universities probation because their NCLEX pass rate was too low. The University hit the CC college by saying their program was too hard because too many were failing and going to the University. Personally, all they did was make themselves look worse. Anyways, the point is that many things contribute to making the program 'better'. I would talk to graduates and see what they think.

MB37 · Aug 18, 2008

There are a few more complexities as well - where do you count students who have to repeat a semester? My accelerated BSN class admitted 48. At least 2 didn't accept admission, and their spots were filled with people who failed a previous semester - I'll leave those two out of my numbers. Of the 46 then, 19 of us started our summer semester, and I'm actually not 100% sure how many graduated - only about half my class walked. I know 3/19 didn't pass the exit HESI the first try, but we get a second shot at it. Not sure who passed it the second try or not. However, we didn't have 27 fail or drop out. I know one who withdrew before he could be failed, and I'm sure we lost a couple others first semester before I knew them. Most of the other 27 chose to slow down their program, or may have failed one class and had to join the group behind us. The ability to slow down may be unique to accelerated programs, but I'm sure every class has people who fail a course or have to sit out a semester. I assume that's one reason schools have a tough time reporting graduation rates. However, if you look at stats for colleges in general, 4-yr schools typically report a "6-year graduation rate" to account for students who may not progress at the typical pace. I think it's very reasonable to expect NS's to report, for example, a 3-yr grad rate. They aren't doing it for all the reasons stated above - it's much easier to manipulate NCLEX passage scores. We'l probably get 100% again, but 16-19/46 are graduating on time.

gillytook · Aug 21, 2008

In my program, the non-traditional learns are also the stronger students. The above mention reasons are probably correct but you have to factor in experience. How many non-tradintions have given birth, nursed a sick child or cared for an aging parent, not to mention their own personal experiences with health care. I know that assisting my son with preparations for the ACT/SAT, the vocabulary looks so easy now compared to what it did as a teen.