Press Release                                                                                                                        
Date: October 10, 2024
Contact: lgarrett@tctc.edu

By Lisa Garrett

Graduates of Nursing Programs Continue to Exceed

State, National Pass Rates on NCLEX

PENDLETON --- Graduates of Tri-County Technical College’s (TCTC) nursing programs continue to exceed state and national pass rates on the national nursing accreditation test, the NGN (Next Generation) National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX).

The NCLEX is a nationally recognized licensure examination required to become either a registered nurse (NCLEX-RN) or a licensed practical nurse (NCLEX-PN). Graduates of both programs must pass the exam to work as RNs and/or LPNs in the state.

Data released for the third quarter of 2024 (July 1 – September 30) shows TCTC’s Licensed Practical Nursing graduates achieved a perfect 100% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-PN.

The associate degree nursing (RN) cohort reports a 93.33% first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN.

LPN graduates surpassed the state average of 97.9% and the national average of 90.04%.

RN graduates also surpassed the state (91.71%) and national (89.19%) pass rates.

According to the S.C. Board of Nursing, South Carolina’s college and university registered nurse programs rank fifth in the nation with an NCLEX-RN pass rate of 95.48%. New Hampshire and North Dakota top the list, ranking 96% nursing license exam pass rates.    

South Carolina’s LPN programs rate eighth in the nation with a 97.83% pass rate. States are ranked by the overall pass rates of first-time candidates taking the test.

“We are so proud of our students and the hard work they have put in to prepare themselves to become nurses,” said Jackie Rutledge, TCTC nursing department head. “Our dedicated nursing faculty work hard to prepare them not just for the exam, but for today’s workplace. We celebrate their success as they enter the field of nursing.”

Rutledge also credited the programs’ advisory committees that consist of Upstate health care leaders who meet at the end of each semester for discussion and to provide input about keeping the curriculum relevant to today's ever-changing work environment.

“The committee routinely shares evidence-based best practices and new procedures or policies which enhance our students’ education. The advisory committee also gives the nursing department valuable feedback regarding our graduate nurses’ performance and our end-of-program outcomes,” said Rutledge.

LPN graduates are employed at nursing homes, doctor’s offices and acute care facilities. ADN graduates are predominantly employed at Prisma Health and AnMed.

TCTC’s nursing departments are fully accredited by the State Board of Nursing in South Carolina and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.

About Tri-County Technical College
Tri-County Technical College, a public two-year community and technical college serving Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties in South Carolina, enrolls more than 9,000 students annually and offers more than 70 major fields of study, including computer technology, business administration, mechatronics, nursing, and university transfer programs. Tri-County boasts the highest student success rate among two-year colleges in the state and ranks in the top one percent nationally for successful student transfers to four-year colleges and universities. To learn more, visit tctc.edu. 

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