The NCLEX is

a state-required and state-administered examination that nurses must take

in order to become registered to practice.

Statistics

showed that for the 12-month period ending Sept. 30, 95.3 percent of Gordon

College graduates passed the exam on the first attempt. Comparatively,

the average first-time passing rate for the entire state during that same

time period was 82.5 percent.

"This

is a very exciting accomplishment," stated Dr. Pamela O'Neal, chair

of the Division of Nursing and Health Sciences. "The fact that Gordon

College has the best nursing program amid two-year colleges in the entire

state of Georgia and the fact that we significantly exceeded the state's

average is evidence of our program's strong curriculum."

Aside from

being the best among two-year colleges, the Nursing Division placed fourth

among 34 public and private nursing programs in the state. Also, the National

League for Nursing Accreditation Commission granted preliminary reaccreditation

for eight years to the nursing program early last month.

"We have

an outstanding program with a visionary goal of graduating academically

stellar nursing students who will have a positive impact on reducing the

clinical nursing shortage in the local and regional community," said

Dr. O'Neal.

"With

the support of Dr. Williamson, president of Gordon College, I know that

we will be able to continue this trend of academic excellence."