D&E nursing graduates achieve 100 percent pass rate

Submitted photo The Davis & Elkins College class of 2019 nursing graduates earned a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates and their instructors are, from left, front row, Associate Professor of Nursing Lora Abruzzino, Mariah Bowley, Erin Beer, Melissa Collett, Mariah Davis Wamsley, Leela Densmore, Katrina Fowler and Administrative Assistant to the Division of Nursing Brenda Miller; second row, Director of the Bachelor’s Nursing Programs, Chair of the Division of Nursing and Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. Huixin Wu, retired Chair of the Division of Nursing Dr. Threasia Witt, Associate Professor of Nursing Karen Seel, Kari Frye, Kristen Hedrick, Ben Hinkle, Elise Joe, Kathern Keith, Courtney Legg, Professor of Nursing Dr. Christina Swecker and Assistant Professor of Nursing Valerie Posey; third row, Tesla Lewis, Lindsey Marks, Kayla Masters, Jennifer Morrison, Marlana Pennington, Talladaga Pennington, Kristy Shifflett, Jontasia Sitton and Director of the Associate Degree Program in Nursing and Professor of Nursing Melissa McCoy; and fourth row, Miranda Smith, Mataya Taylor, Stormie Troxal, Camilla Wamsley, Scarlett Warner and Samuel Windham and Professor of Nursing Dr. Denice Reese.

Submitted photo
The Davis & Elkins College class of 2019 nursing graduates earned a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). Graduates and their instructors are, from left, front row, Associate Professor of Nursing Lora Abruzzino, Mariah Bowley, Erin Beer, Melissa Collett, Mariah Davis Wamsley, Leela Densmore, Katrina Fowler and Administrative Assistant to the Division of Nursing Brenda Miller; second row, Director of the Bachelor's Nursing Programs, Chair of the Division of Nursing and Associate Professor of Nursing Dr. Huixin Wu, retired Chair of the Division of Nursing Dr. Threasia Witt, Associate Professor of Nursing Karen Seel, Kari Frye, Kristen Hedrick, Ben Hinkle, Elise Joe, Kathern Keith, Courtney Legg, Professor of Nursing Dr. Christina Swecker and Assistant Professor of Nursing Valerie Posey; third row, Tesla Lewis, Lindsey Marks, Kayla Masters, Jennifer Morrison, Marlana Pennington, Talladaga Pennington, Kristy Shifflett, Jontasia Sitton and Director of the Associate Degree Program in Nursing and Professor of Nursing Melissa McCoy; and fourth row, Miranda Smith, Mataya Taylor, Stormie Troxal, Camilla Wamsley, Scarlett Warner and Samuel Windham and Professor of Nursing Dr. Denice Reese.

ELKINS -- The Davis & Elkins College 2019 class of nursing graduates are the third consecutive group to achieve a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

"We are very proud of our students who demonstrated superior knowledge in their field with the mastery of the NCLEX," said D&E President Chris A. Wood. "I commend the students for their hard work and the nursing faculty for their guidance in reaching this accomplishment for the third year in a row."

In place in the United States since 1994, NCLEX is a nationwide test that replaces the previous individual state board exams. Candidates take the exam in a controlled environment testing center where they are presented with a maximum of 265 questions they must complete in six hours.

While students put extra dedication toward their studies throughout the program, they place special emphasis on the final semester with the Nursing Concept Synthesis course taught by Associate Professor of Nursing Melissa McCoy. The course is organized by the NCLEX-RN Test Plan, and homework assignments are tailored to each student's level of competence.

"This is a great testimony to the hard work of our students and the leadership of our faculty," said D&E Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Rob Phillips. "The Nursing program at Davis & Elkins College has established a record of consistent excellence which has resulted in graduates who are well-prepared to enter the profession and serve the needs of their patients and communities."

Members of the 2019 class are Erin Beer of Buckhannon; Mariah Bowley of Parsons; Melissa Collett of Beverly; Mariah Davis Wamsley of Belington; Leela Densmore of Belington; Katrina Fowler of Belington; Kari Frye of Buckhannon; Kristen Hedrick of Hendricks; Ben Hinkle of Elkins; Elise Joe of Elkins; Kathern Keith of Linn; Courtney Legg of Belva; Tesla Lewis of Buckhannon; Lindsey Marks of Shinnston; Kayla Masters of Williamstown; Jennifer Morrison of Marlinton; Marlana Pennington of Junior; Talladaga Pennington of Elkins; Kristy Shifflett of Harman; Jontasia Sitton of Elkins; Miranda Smith of Elkins; Mataya Taylor of Elkins; Stormie Troxal of Elkins; Camilla Wamsley of Norton; Scarlett Warner of Marlinton and Samuel Windham of Houston, Texas.

The Davis & Elkins College Division of Nursing prepares students to function competently and safely at the beginning staff level position and provides the foundation for upward mobility into higher levels of nursing education. The Associate in Science degree in nursing curriculum combines selections from the liberal arts and related cognates with courses from the professional major. In addition, the concept of educational mobility is incorporated, allowing LPN students to enter the curriculum with advanced placement. The online RN-BSN Degree Completion Program is designed for working RNs who are adult learners and is offered in three consecutive 16-week rotations that can be completed in 12 months. The Bachelor of Science degree in nursing, beginning this fall, incorporates some courses from the associate degree program and some courses from the degree completion program.