Immaculata University’s Division of Nursing earned the 2020 Innovations in Professional Nursing Award in the category of Private College/University from the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN). This award recognizes the outstanding work of AACN-member schools to re-envision traditional models for nursing education and lead programmatic change.

With the goal of increasing Immaculata’s NCLEX-RN first-time pass rate, the Division of Nursing launched the NCLEX Success Project in 2016. A major innovation to the curriculum was the addition of Ace NCLEX sessions to most nursing courses. The bi-weekly, 90-minute sessions were developed with the goal of utilizing more simulation to reinforce and apply classroom content.

This initiative included the utilization of more active learning strategies throughout all nursing courses, with increased use of simulations, case studies, and interactive computer-based learning resources for both classroom time and student learning enrichment. The university also made technology improvements, including the addition of a new simulation laboratory and upgraded simulation equipment in existing labs.

“The hard work and dedication of our nursing faculty are driving the success of our first-time pass rate for the NCLEX,” said Immaculata President Barbara Lettiere. “I am equally proud of our students who study hard, work harder, and succeed.”

Since the initiation of the NCLEX Success Project, first-time NCLEX pass rates for the prelicensure BSN program have consistently been above the national and state average for the years 2016-2017 (96.67 percent), 2017-2018 (93.10 percent), and 2018-2019 (96.67 percent).

“The focus of nursing education has evolved from being content-laden to preparing students to cultivate clinical judgment and ‘think like a nurse,’” said Division of Nursing Chair Dr. Jane Tang. “The faculty remain committed to ongoing assessment and improvement of the program through collaboration and scholarship in a collegial environment.”

Immaculata’s NCLEX Project aligns with AACN’s vision by ensuring that students graduate from the prelicensure program with the necessary preparation to contribute to the transformation of healthcare in an ever-changing and increasingly technological environment. The project reflects AACN’s mission by serving as a catalyst for improving excellence in nursing education with innovative approaches to collaborative learning.

Visit Immaculata’s prelicensure nursing program for more information.

You Might Also Like

Immaculata to Host Accelerated, Second-Degree B.S.N. Info Session on Nov. 18

Immaculata to Host On-Campus Open House for Undergrads on Nov. 14

Immaculata University Freezes Tuition for 2021-2022 Academic Year