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The 2008 graduates from East Central University's nursing program attained a 94 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX). Graduates from all nursing programs in the United States must pass this examination in order to practice as Registered Nurses.

Graduates of East Central University's nursing program gather last May for a final photo after their 2008 commencement ceremonies. The class now has a 94 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), surpassing 2008 statewide pass rate average of about 85 percent and the national average of 87 percent. Graduates from all nursing programs in the United States must pass this examination in order to practice as Registered Nurses.Graduates of East Central University's nursing program gather last May for a final photo after their 2008 commencement ceremonies. The class now has a 94 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), surpassing 2008 statewide pass rate average of about 85 percent and the national average of 87 percent. Graduates from all nursing programs in the United States must pass this examination in order to practice as Registered Nurses. 
Graduates of East Central University's nursing program gather last May for a final photo after their 2008 commencement ceremonies. The class now has a 94 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), surpassing 2008 statewide pass rate average of about 85 percent and the national average of 87 percent. Graduates from all nursing programs in the United States must pass this examination in order to practice as Registered Nurses.Graduates of East Central University's nursing program gather last May for a final photo after their 2008 commencement ceremonies. The class now has a 94 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), surpassing 2008 statewide pass rate average of about 85 percent and the national average of 87 percent. Graduates from all nursing programs in the United States must pass this examination in order to practice as Registered Nurses.

"We are very proud of our graduates," said Dr. Joseph T. Catalano, chair of ECU's Department of Nursing. "The NCLEX is a very hard, computerized examination that requires the graduates to have a high level of knowledge and a well-developed critical thinking ability."

The majority of the graduates took the examination during June, July and August, with several taking it later. The testing service sends the results to the Oklahoma Board of Nursing which then notifies the individual programs. Catalano said this process may take a month or longer. Students can find out their individual results within 72 hours, however, by accessing the Board of Nursing web site.

"The 2008 Oklahoma average first-time pass rate for all RN nursing programs is right at 85 percent and the 2008 national average for all programs in the U.S. and its five territories was 87 percent," Catalano said. "We well exceeded both averages."

The ECU Nursing Program is completed in four years and students graduate with a bachelor of science degree with a major in nursing. Students are officially accepted into the nursing program in the spring semester of the sophomore year. They then have five semesters of clinical nursing courses that prepare them for nursing practice in multiple areas.

The ECU nursing program is offered in Ada, Durant at the Southeastern Oklahoma State University campus and in Ardmore through the Higher Education Center.

"Our graduates have a reputation throughout the southwest region for their knowledge and skills," Catalano said. "They are highly recruited and have taken many positions of leadership in hospitals and community agencies in Oklahoma and Texas."

For more information about the nursing program, go the ECU web site, www.ecok.edu, or contact the Department of Nursing at 888-691-0001 or at ssibble@ecok.edu.

The 2008 graduates who passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on the first attempt are listed by their hometowns:

ADA -- Rebecca Andrews, Katelyn Buchanan, Sara Davis, Amanda James, Tamara Jennings, Leisa Kinstner, Sandeep Pokharel, Julie Singleton, Hillary Spears and Jamie Spottedbird.

ALLEN -- Nicole Smith.

ANTLERS -- Chandra Workman.

ARDMORE -- Leah Keller.

ATOKA -- Tammy Banker.

BOSWELL -- Misty Eastwood.

DAVIS -- Jama Robertson.

DURANT -- Kristi Coleman, Elizabeth Cook, Jessica Franks, Jana Haggard, LeAnn Polson, Katie Schmitz and Misty Ward.

GOLDSBY -- Joanie Wells.

HARTSHORNE -- Maranda Byrd.

HOLDENVILLE -- Wendy Davenport.

KINGSTON -- Tamy Beasley.

KONAWA -- Kandice Lowry.

LANE -- Elizabeth Birdsong.

McALESTER -- Erica Dial, Brian Doyle and Melissa Gupton.

MACOMB -- Katie Boone.

MADILL -- Monica Winford.

MAYSVILLE -- Chelsi McCurtain and Mallory Reynolds.

MILBURN -- Tara Fall.

OOLOGAH -- Casey Greer.

PAULS VALLEY -- Jeannie Heil.

PURCELL -- Jared Brown.

STRATFORD -- Jayne Morse.

SULPHUR -- Katrina Capshaw.

TISHOMINGO -- Crystal Ross.

WEWOKA -- Susan Tilley.

WILSON -- Linda Nance.

WYNNEWOOD -- Brandy Nabors.

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