All the students in Å·ÃÀÊÓƵ's two 2025 nursing graduating classes who took the national examination required to become a licensed registered nurse passed it on the first attempt. The two nursing classes included 23 students in the traditional track cohort and 11 in the accelerated cohort.
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (-RN) is used to determine if entry-level nurses have the knowledge and skills to be licensed as a registered nurse, with passing the exam a requirement for licensure.
Concordia has consistently experienced high pass rates in the past, but 100% in both tracks is exceptional, said Dr. Jack Rydell, chair and professor of nursing at Concordia.
The is for students pursuing their first bachelor’s degree with a major in nursing. The is for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree in a non-nursing major.
He credited the program’s emphasis on strong, supportive relationships between students and faculty, as well as its efforts to prepare nursing students for the test using a similar computerized testing program as practice. Offering 10 exams throughout the curriculum familiarizes the students with the testing program and question formats — and provides students with feedback so they can assess their readiness for the exam.
“We work hard to connect our students with the resources available on campus to support their academics and success in the program, including resources within our nursing department,” Rydell said. “Nursing is a rigorous major, particularly when we begin clinical experiences. Our nursing faculty work hard to set clear expectations in their courses and have an open-door policy to support students outside the classroom and clinical setting.
“We also establish a high expectation of our students for engagement and professionalism in the clinical setting, which continues to be recognized and highlighted by our clinical partners,” he added. “This translates into our graduate nurses being highly sought after in the workplace.”
projects strong growth in new jobs for registered nurses, expecting more than 166,000 additional positions in the U.S. between 2024 and 2034, and listing their 2024 median pay as $93,600 per year.
“I find students who end up making good nurses have a variety of skill sets, including strength in the sciences, strong communication skills, and a customer service orientation,” Rydell said. “I commonly ask prospective students, ‘what makes you interested in becoming a nurse?’ and a frequent reply that I hear is ‘I want to help people.’ Students with a strong sense of caring and empathy will make great connections with the patients and patients’ loved ones throughout their careers.”