July 25, 2018
The East Texas Baptist University School of Nursing has attained a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for the fourth consecutive year.
"We celebrate the outstanding Christian scholarship and expert professional training of our nursing faculty under the leadership of Dean of the School of Nursing Rebekah Grigsby," ETBU President J. Blair Blackburn said. "Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Thomas Sanders has also led the charge to make program enhancements to the nursing program. We continue to see the fruits of the quality investment from our faculty and academic leaders in the success of our nursing graduates."
Measured by analyzing the current and historical NCLEX pass rates, ETBU was recently recognized by the Annual RegisteredNursing.org Registered Nurse (RN) Program State Rankings as the eighth-ranked RN Program in Texas out of 114 programs evaluated and 50 ranked.
"I am so proud of our faculty, staff, and students for this most recent demonstration of excellence," Dr. Sanders shared. "Christ calls us to courageously care for others. I think of no better place to start than with 100% of our students passing the NCLEX for the fourth time in a row."
With the continued success of the ETBU School of Nursing, the flagship program is developing further by relocating to the historic Marshall Grand in downtown Marshall in the spring semester of 2019. The University exceeded the Phase I campaign goal of $1.8 million with the support of over 180 donors for a total of more than $2.5 million. The renovation is an investment in student innovation and sustainable growth for the nursing program.
"We are ecstatic to share the NCLEX results of our most recent graduates of the ETBU School of Nursing. This accomplishment illustrates the determination and hard work our students and faculty commit to each year," Dr. Grigsby commented. "What excites me most is that we have a new group of BSN RNs entering the workforce and delivering healthcare with a mission to serve Christ faithfully through their call to be nurses."
With 135 students currently enrolled in ETBU's Nursing Program and projected growth with the expansion of the new RN to BSN program, there is still a need for donor support to make Phase II of the nursing school in the downtown Marshall Grand a reality. Phase II will enable East Texas Baptist to triple the number of students accepted into the program with the goal of addressing the medical needs of more citizens in the Ark-La-Tex region. The successful completion of this phase will also afford ETBU the opportunity for future expansion of the nursing school's academic offerings to the graduate level with a Master of Science in Nursing.
"The ETBU Nursing program provided me with access to top-of-the-line software, hands-on simulations, and extensive coursework specifically geared toward the NCLEX exam. Our professors prepared us to walk into the test with confidence," Willis-Knighton Medical Center Registered Nurse Lauren McCollum ('18) said. "At ETBU, I learned to serve for the sake of God's Kingdom and was equipped to pursue service through medicine."
To contribute to the project or learn more about the campaign, visit etbu.edu/schoolofnursing or contact the Office of Advancement at 903.923.2071.