NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: April 17, 2024
For further information contact:
Ryan Brown: Phone: 408-531-6172 | Email: ryan.brown@sjeccd.edu
EVC Nursing Students Achieve 100 Percent Pass Rate on Licensure Exam
(San Jose, Calif.) — For the fourth consecutive quarter, students in Evergreen Valley College’s (EVC) nursing program have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), a requirement for registered nursing licensure.
This accomplishment further illustrates why EVC’s Associate Degree in Nursing program recently received full reaffirmation of its accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), confirming that the program meets a set of rigorous educational standards verified through ACEN’s peer-review process. This accreditation signals EVC’s dedication to educational excellence.
“This remarkable feat underscores the quality of our nursing program and the unparalleled dedication of both our students and faculty,” said Dr. Lu Crary, EVC’s dean of nursing and allied health programs. “Achieving a 100 percent pass rate once is commendable, but maintaining this standard of excellence for four consecutive quarters is a testament to the consistent hard work, determination, and commitment of our entire academic community.”
While the 100 percent pass rate for nursing students in the 2023-2024 academic year is unprecedented, EVC students have historically passed the NCLEX exam at rates that exceed state and national averages.
According to data from the California Board of Nursing, EVC nursing students passed at a rate of 96.4 percent in 2022-2023 and 97.5 percent in 2021-2022, respectively. This places EVC among the top of all public and private colleges and universities offering registered nursing programs in California.
“This perennial success is not just about percentages and numbers,” said Dr. Beatriz Chaidez, San José – Evergreen Community College District chancellor. “It reflects the personal journeys of hundreds of students who have shown exceptional resilience, perseverance, and focus. It is also a testament to our faculty's dedication to providing a supportive and challenging learning environment that prepares our students for real-world healthcare challenges.”
As these students prepare to graduate and enter the workforce, they will be joining a healthcare industry beset by challenges. Many regions throughout California are currently experiencing nursing shortages, according to the California Health and Human Services Agency, an issue that was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Internal student surveys indicate that the vast majority of EVC nursing graduates remain in the Bay Area as they launch their careers.
“Evergreen Valley College is proud of its contribution to the nursing profession and we are excited to see our graduates make a significant impact to the quality and availability of healthcare services in communities in our region and beyond,” said Dr. Denise Noldon, EVC’s interim president. “Our program—and community college nursing programs in general—have demonstrated significant value to the state. Community colleges continue to be the number one source for training nurses and making sure that the workforce needs of this vital industry are met.”
For more information on EVC nursing and allied health programs, please visit https://www.evc.edu/nursing.