JANESVILLE - Blackhawk Technical College nursing students are among the best in the state again.
According to the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing, BTC's nursing students netted a composite score of 100 percent on the most recent National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, marking the second consecutive year the BTC program has either ranked No. 1 or tied for the best composite score among all Wisconsin colleges. This year, three other private colleges earned a 100 percent result, including Carroll University, Maranatha Baptist Bible College and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
The NCLEX-RN exam is used by all state boards of nursing across the United States to help assess a student's competency. Many state boards of nursing use NCLEX-RN pass rates as a way to approve a school's ability to provide nursing education.
Last year, Blackhawk's students scored a 95.7 percent, which was the best in the state, according to a news release. During the last three years, BTC has graduated an average of 34 nursing students per year. Based on the college's graduate follow-up survey respondents, 97 percent of the students were employed within six months of graduation. Employer responses from the same survey stated 100 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the student's technical education.
According to Debora Pessoa, BTC nursing program chair, the program is a four-semester course including classroom, skills lab and clinical experiences. Students have the option of completing the first two semesters, then taking an examination which could lead to a license as a licensed practical nurse. Most students prefer to complete all four semesters, allowing them to take the exam leading to a license as a registered nurse.
BTC's nursing program also has in place 14 different transfer agreements for students who wish to continue their education and pursue a four-year degree.
In addition to being approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, the associate degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.
According to the Wisconsin State Board of Nursing, BTC's nursing students netted a composite score of 100 percent on the most recent National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses, marking the second consecutive year the BTC program has either ranked No. 1 or tied for the best composite score among all Wisconsin colleges. This year, three other private colleges earned a 100 percent result, including Carroll University, Maranatha Baptist Bible College and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
The NCLEX-RN exam is used by all state boards of nursing across the United States to help assess a student's competency. Many state boards of nursing use NCLEX-RN pass rates as a way to approve a school's ability to provide nursing education.
Last year, Blackhawk's students scored a 95.7 percent, which was the best in the state, according to a news release. During the last three years, BTC has graduated an average of 34 nursing students per year. Based on the college's graduate follow-up survey respondents, 97 percent of the students were employed within six months of graduation. Employer responses from the same survey stated 100 percent were satisfied or very satisfied with the student's technical education.
According to Debora Pessoa, BTC nursing program chair, the program is a four-semester course including classroom, skills lab and clinical experiences. Students have the option of completing the first two semesters, then taking an examination which could lead to a license as a licensed practical nurse. Most students prefer to complete all four semesters, allowing them to take the exam leading to a license as a registered nurse.
BTC's nursing program also has in place 14 different transfer agreements for students who wish to continue their education and pursue a four-year degree.
In addition to being approved by the Wisconsin Board of Nursing, the associate degree program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing Inc.
