COLBY -- Thirty-nine graduates of the 2023 Colby Community College Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) and Practical Nursing (PN) programs achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).

The NCLEX is a nationwide test taken by nursing students to assess competency before becoming a licensed nurse. The national average for first-time RN and PN NCLEX pass rates is 79.9%. Since 2018, only three other community colleges in Kansas posted a perfect pass rate for both programs.

"This achievement puts our students into a very exclusive group," said Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Tiffany Evans. "Also, congratulations to our Director of Nursing, Michaelle Bliss, Division Chair and ADN instructor Cathy McVey, and PN instructors Macey Batie and Rikki Wait. This group did an amazing job with these students; I couldn't be prouder of them."

CCC has locations in Colby and Norton for the 11-month PN program that leads to a technical certificate in practical nursing. Graduates can then apply to the one-year ADN program in Colby and prepare for licensing as a registered nurse.

For more information on the programs, contact Bliss at (785) 460-5442 or visit www.colbycc.edu/nursing.