BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WBRC) – A new report from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing shows that nursing students from Alabama’s community colleges are more prepared to enter the health care industry after graduation.

The report shows that more than 95% of Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) candidates and 95% of Registered Nurse (RN) candidates from one of the state’s community colleges passed their Next Generation NCLEX. The test measures the student’s preparedness.

The national average for LPN is 75%, RN is 68%.

Anita Naramore is the Associate Dean of Nursing at Jefferson State Community College. She said all the hard work that went into teaching the new standardized test is shown through these numbers.

“When you have faculty that are used to teaching in a certain way doing a different way of activities in the classroom, all of that has been different. “We actually made sure that we went to several professional development opportunities for the faculty and they took advantage of that,” said Naramore.

Naramore hopes the success will attract more applicants to the program and open up opportunities.

“We admit at two of our campuses, Jefferson and Shelby, every semester. That’s three times a year. Our outlying campuses admit in the fall. So if this encourages students to apply, we may offer more admissions on the other campuses.”

More information on Jeff State can be found here.

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Ala. community college nursing students are more prepared for the health care industry