School NCLEX pass/fail percent

[morr4336]

The school I will be attending has an NCLEX pass rate of 86%. Is that good or bad? State average is 85%. Thanks for the reply.

[llg, PhD, RN]

Actually, you answered your own question. Your school is about average. The national average is also about 85%.

llg

[Boe]

My school has an 89% NCLEX pass rate, but only 64% graduate. (I think it is important to look at the graduation rate also.)

[ragingmomster, BSN, MSN, RN]

School graduation rate? Is that from the original number who enrolled? I think our grad rate is around 50% from those who start out. But our NCLEX first time pass rate is 96%!

[Boe]

yes, 64% of the original number who enrolled in nursing graduate.

[manna, BSN, RN]

Wow! The program I'm applying to has a 95-100% retention rate, and a 96-98% NCLEX pass rate.

[llg, PhD, RN]

It's good that you are looking at the numbers and beginning to ask what they mean. You are discovering some of the basic differences in school beliefs, cultures, and strategies.

Some schools are highly selective in their admissions process. They only accept students who have a high probability of success in both school performance and passing NCLEX. These schools are tough to get into, but generally very supportive once you are in and most students get through.

Other schools cast a wide net in their admissions process. Lots of people are given a chance to try. Some (especially some community colleges) accept every student who meets a bare minimum standard. It is easier to get accepted into these schools, but their might be a waiting list -- and accepted students may have to wait several months for a position to become available. These schools then have to face the fact that many of the students accepted into their program do not have the academic skills and/or personal skills required to meet the standards for graduation and/or pass NCLEX. If they pass those students along and don't fail them, then they have a high NCLEX failure rate. The alternative is to have a high course failure rate.

Of course, I've described the two extreme positions above -- and in reality, there are hybrids and schools that are "in the middle" of the two extremes. Also, schools offer remedial courses, support services, tutoring, etc. to help struggling students -- so , it is not quite so tidy as I described above.

So ... I guess my message is: don't just look at the statistics in a superficial manner. Think through as you assess any given situation.

llg

[nursetwobe]

Where do you find this type of information?

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

This is an old thread but you should be able to find something on state nursing website