100 percent of Northern's ADN 2024 Graduates Pass Nursing Licensure Exam
Northern New Mexico College Nursing & Health Sciences Department celebrates all their ADN graduates passing on their first attempt two years in a row.
For the second year in a row, graduates of the Northern New Mexico College (NNMC) Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program had a 100-percent pass rate of the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) licensure exam on their first try.
"Northern is extremely proud of our Nursing Program and of the amazing accomplishments of these students," said NNMC President Hector Balderas. "A perfect passage rate is not only proof of these students' dedication and commitment to their education but shows that they and Northern are leading the way in providing the high-quality healthcare that is highly needed in our communities.”
These remarkable pass rates reflect well on both the students and on a program designed
to support student success.
“This accomplishment underscores the relentless dedication of our students and the unwavering support provided by our faculty,” said ADN Program Director Melanie Colgan. “For several years, we have focused on enhancing student outcomes, and it is rewarding to see that effort translate into success. We have implemented multiple strategies to support our students throughout their nursing education and into their professional careers.”
Every member of Northern’s ADN program’s faculty offers tutoring and study sessions, which range from review sessions before major exams to individual coaching for a student who is struggling.
The department also has a success coach. Every time a student fails an exam they are referred to the department’s success coach, who can provide them with a variety of techniques to ensure success. They might help the student learn how to take notes, suggest different ways to study or review for an exam or provide test-taking tips.
Last year the department initiated a peer mentor program. First-year students are matched with a second-year student who can offer support from the perspective of their own experience.
“This mentorship offers students an opportunity to gain insights from someone who has navigated the same challenges,” Colgan said. “Whether it’s advice on preparing for exams or tips for excelling in clinical rotations, peer mentors serve as a valuable support system.”
Four students volunteered to be peer mentors in the first year of the program. That increased to a dozen this year, matching every first-year student with a peer mentor.
Northern has also partnered with the Colorado Center for Nursing Excellence on a Nursing Workforce Diversity grant from the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). The grant funds a mentoring program focused on historically underrepresented students, which includes Native American and Hispanic students and those who are economically. disadvantaged. The Center pairs qualified students with a mentor who provides coaching and tutoring. Nine NNMC students qualified last year and eight qualified this year. Students in the HRSA grant program also receive a substantial stipend which can be used for whatever the student needs, such as housing, food or childcare.
“These stipends are instrumental in enabling students to reduce their work hours and dedicate more time to their education,” Colgan said. “Many of our students balance work and family responsibilities, making financial assistance a crucial factor in their academic success.”
The department also utilizes the Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Learning System, which provides additional resources for helping students prepare for the NCLEX exam.
This comprehensive approach to student success is paying off, preparing the nursing students to pass their exam and move into their nursing careers. Members of the 2024 graduating class are already employed by Presbyterian Española Hospital and Christus St. Vincent.
“Success in nursing school is only the first step – passing the NCLEX is essential,” Colgan said. “It is gratifying to see that our curriculum and support systems are effectively preparing students for this critical milestone.”