HCC Nursing program examines pass rates
Jan 22, 2016
Houston Community College (HCC) is proud of its nursing programs and the important guidance it receives from the Texas Board of Nursing (BON) in helping address the needs of healthcare in Texas and in particular the world renowned Texas Medical Center. The Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program is one of many healthcare programs at HCC that are well recognized.
Programs such as the ADN require exams as a condition of a nurse being licensed to work. At the most recent administration of the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) HCC ADN graduates passed at over 89 percent, well above the BON requirement of 80 percent.
This week, the BON moved the HCC ADN program to a “conditional” status as a result of the three-year cumulative pass rate below 80 percent. This action was a result of pass rates for 2013, 2014, and 2015 of 66.05 percent, 70.86 percent, and 78.43 percent, respectively.
“It is important for current students to know that this action by the BON will not affect their eligibility to take licensing exams,” said Dr. Jolly Joseph, HCC’s ADN program director.
“Our outstanding faculty and staff in the nursing program are dedicated to the success of every student,” said HCC Chancellor Cesar Maldonado. “Since my arrival in May 2014, we have been committed to correcting the deficiencies in the program and returning it to full standing with the BON. With the Trustees’ support we have changed administrators, expanded resources, and taken additional measures to improve program results. Our changes are working, as evidenced by the increase to a 78.43 percent pass rate for 2015 and the notable 89.47 percent at the last exam.”
The measures include improving admission criteria, improving student support, and hiring more experienced leadership and oversight. As regulations currently stand, the HCC ADN Program will not be able to admit new students until the pass rate percentage makes the 80 percent benchmark. The end of each examination year is September 30. After the pass rate is at 80 percent, the program’s approval status will be upgraded and will have the ability to admit new students again.
“In addition to the improvements in place we will be accepting the BON’s recommendations to add capacity for coordination of our students’ clinical training,” said Dr. Phillip Nicotera, President of Coleman College. A response to the BON’s recommendation is due on April 1. The current examination year ends on September 30. Dr. Nicotera added, “I have every confidence this positive trend will continue and we will be returned to Full status after that period.”
In support of HCC’s expansion in the Texas Medical Center, HCC is collaborating with four year universities to add the Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) with the University of Texas and Sam Houston State University and is in conversations with UHD and Texas Women’s University.
Dr. Robert C. Robbins, president and CEO of the Texas Medical Center is anticipating a greater partnership with Houston Community College in the years ahead.
“The HCC Coleman College for Health Sciences plays a critical role in the Texas Medical Center, bringing health science education to community college students, an important segment of academia,” said Dr. Robbins. “We look forward to expanding our partnership with HCC as it builds a new state-of-the-art building, the Coleman Educational Healthcare Facility, embedded right here in the heart of the world’s largest medical center."
The HCC ADN Program has been in operation since 1979. HCC is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC).