For the second year in a row, the University of Holy Cross nursing graduates class
achieved a 100% pass rate on their first take on the National Council Licensing Examination
(NCLEX). The 28 students in the May 2024 cohort who achieved the feat easily bested
the Louisiana NCLEX average pass rate of 92.91% and the national average of 88.56%.
Over the last five years, UHC nursing cohorts passed the NCLEX at an average of 95.88
and 96.32% over the last 10 years – a remarkable statistic that is both higher than
the state and national averages. The 2023 nursing graduating class also attained a
perfect pass rate.
After passing the NCLEX exam, nursing students become licensed registered nurses.
The importance of this accomplishment is magnified by the current challenges facting
the nursing industry. According to the American Association of Colleges and Nursing,
the U.S. is projected to experience a shortage of Registered Nurses (RNs) that is
expected to intensify as Baby Boomers nurses retire and the need for health care grows. The
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects the nursing field to grow by 11% through 2028.
Currently, the country faces a nursing shortage as a large number of nurses are retiring
from the workforce.
“The 2024 nursing graduates exam included next generation features, using real-world
case studies to measure a nurse’s ability to think more critically and make the right
decisions,” said Dr. Patricia Prechter, UHC Dean of Nursing and Health Sciences. “For
100% of students to pass on their very first pass is a remarkable achievement, and
we’re proud to continue our history and tradition of producing excellent nurses.”
“We are honored to continue our tradition of excellence in producing highly skilled
and compassionate nurses who are prepared to meet the evolving needs of our healthcare
system. It reinforces our dedication to educating the whole person, both mind and
heart, said Dr. Stanton McNeely III, president of the University of Holy Cross.
New nursing school classes begin every August. For information on how to apply, visit
UHC’s Nursing Program website at uhcno.edu/nursing.
Bottom Row: Victoria Vo, Brianna Trujillo, Hannah Plaisance, Margaret Rose Foster, Widline Pierre, Kadian Bowen, Bren Guerra, Katherine Miano, Brianna Paz. Middle Row: Angela Tran, Kennedy Jones, Molly Katz, Casside Parfait, Haley Piwetz, Nathan Roach, Rian Ezell, Kathleen Templet, Kayla Tobin, Megan Winingham. Top Row: Felicia Santiago, Tyler Kalb, Ruth Davis, Ashley Dupart, Cayden LeBouef, Diamond Benoit, Breanna Perkins, Cynthia Brown.