Lamar University is proud to announce that the December 2021 graduating cohort from the
JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing achieved a pass rate (first attempt) on the
National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) of 98.18%, according to reports issued in April of 2022.
This first-time pass rate stands 11.41% higher than the Texas average annual pass rate and 16.05% higher than the national average annual pass rate for 2021.
According to Dr. Gina L. Hale, assistant professor and director of undergraduate nursing studies and student retention, all graduates of nursing programs must pass a national licensing exam to practice as a registered nurse.
This cohort thrived, Hale said, even as the COVID-19 pandemic raged on.
“The December 2021 graduating cohort began the nursing program in the spring of 2020 — when the COVID pandemic started,” she said. “Just two months after starting nursing school, they had to transition to 100% virtual learning. This class went through the entire nursing program during a pandemic.”
Hale added that their triumph speaks to the resiliency and strength of the students.
“This class demonstrated extraordinary resiliency, motivation and ability to adapt in an evolving, unknown and ever-changing situation,” she said, noting that the pass rate also speaks to the Dishman School of Nursing as a whole. “The NCLEX pass rates for the December 2021 graduating cohort is an outstanding reflection of the (School of Nursing) faculty, staff and curriculum.”
To learn more about the JoAnne Gay Dishman School of Nursing, visit
www.lamar.edu/arts-sciences/nursing.