2012 Apr 20
For Immediate Release
PVCC nursing grads achieve trifecta with 100 percent first-time pass rate on licensure exams
APRIL 18 2012 - For the third year in a row, Paradise Valley Community College's nursing graduates have a perfect first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses. In addition, 15 of these 30 students were employed within two months of graduating in December 2011, and eight more are enrolled in university Bachelor of Science-Nursing degree programs.
Nursing Department Chair Rose Dermody credits the PVCC faculty with guiding these students toward success through interventions that bolster their knowledge and reinforce nursing skills in preparation for the test. "We implement these interventions when we see gaps in their learning to ensure they are ready to pass the nursing exam," Dermody said. "The quality of our program is outstanding and PVCC's pass rate surpasses other nursing colleges and universities."
In Fall 2012, the nursing program will have new building with two simulation suites, a practice lab, an exam room, a control center, a debriefing room and outdoor training areas on the Union Hills campus. The $1.65 million Health Sciences Building also will foster interprofessional education with the Paramedic/EMT program and the community.
"Once the health science is completed, there also are plans to create partnerships with community healthcare agencies and hospitals to use our simulation lab for skills competency and renewal of skills rarely used in practice," Dermody said.
PVCC nursing graduates are primarily hired to work in the John C. Lincoln Health Network, the college's former educational partner. Vice President of Human Resources Frank Cummins has said the JCL Health Network has had great success hiring and retaining these nurses, which he attributes to the high-caliber education they receive at PVCC. The college's nursing graduates are employed at several other local hospitals, as well as Arizona corrections facilities, surgi-centers and home health care agencies.
For more information about the MaricopaNursing program at PVCC, contact Rose Dermody at 602-787-7192 or rose.dermody@pvmail.maricopa.edu.