Tri-County Practical Nursing Graduates Report
100 Percent Passing Rate on NCLEX-PN

CONTACT: LYNN LOLLIS, EXT. 2468

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10/19/2000
(By Lisa Garrett)

PENDLETON --- Graduates of Tri-County Technical College's Practical Nursing department report a 100 percent passing record for taking the National Council Licensing Exam (NCLEX-PN).

This is the sixth time in the last decade that Tri-County students have reported a perfect score on this exam.

Following their August graduation, the College's 15 Practical Nursing graduates took the one-day exam, which tests the nursing process and client needs.

"I'm very happy with the students' scores and their level of knowledge," said Practical Nursing Department Head Lynn Lollis. "I also give credit to instructors Julie Vernon and Michelle Spitz, who are so creative in their ways of explaining complex materials and concepts in the classroom and in clinical settings," she said.

"These students were highly motivated and were academically prepared for the rigorous content of our nursing classes," added Mrs. Lollis. "They were strong in math and science, and that's most important in this field."

Students gain clinical experience by working in area hospitals, local physicians' offices and at the Family Practice Center in Anderson. Major employers for graduates are long-term care facilities and acute care facilities. In addition, the practical nurse is prepared for employment in home health agencies, physicians' offices, ambulatory care facilities and occupational health facilities. Some of the graduates pursue advanced degrees through Tri-County's associate degree Nursing program.

The department has a 100 percent job placement rate.

The job market is wide open for graduates because of the critical shortage of nurses in the state, said Mrs. Lollis. "Our graduates were able to choose from several job offers," she said.

The department is approved by the State Board of Nursing for S.C.
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