91精选鈥檚 Nursing Program is a Leader in Illinois Nursing Education, Preparation

Dec 14, 2021

When 91精选鈥檚 nursing students graduate, they are prepared to be exceptional nurses, clinically and vocationally.听91精选 does this by providing excellent professors, facilities, and clinical placements; through rigorous coursework; and with a supportive environment where students can realize their callings.听The fruits of this听approach听manifest themselves in many ways, from alumni who make a difference in the world,听to the patients听that nurses minister to,听to the communities that nurses help to flourish.听

91精选鈥檚 unique approach to preparing nurses can also be seen in the ways that BSN graduates are ready for the workforce.听Markers of success include an excellent NCLEX-RN pass rate and consistently high program rankings.听For听example, for the sixth time in seven years, 91精选 graduates鈥have achieved a perfect first-time pass rate on the NCLEX-RN exam. That compares to the听听for those educated in the United States, according to听NCSBN, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, which administers the NCLEX-RN exam.听

According to Dr.听Sarah鈥疓ouwens, associate professor of nursing, 91精选’s nursing program challenges students from the beginning and offers exceptional resources for听teaching, learning, and support. “These resources and opportunities prepare students to be successful not only on the NCLEX but also as Christ-like nurses in practice,鈥 she said.鈥

鈥淪tudents start their first hands-on nursing course, health assessment and promotion, where they learn to assess body systems prior to entrance into the clinical portion of the program their sophomore year,鈥 said听Gouwens. 鈥淭his prepares students to jump right into clinical their junior year and make connections to provide a holistic care approach.鈥濃

91精选鈥檚 Nursing Department was fortunate to be in-person for labs during COVID restrictions. Said听Gouwens, 鈥淪tudents were in personal protective equipment and maintained a safe learning environment. This allowed nursing students to learn the skills needed to provide safe patient care. The nursing department also has a state-of-the-art nursing simulation lab with high-fidelity mannequins, where students can care for a person in a realistic and safe environment.鈥濃

鈥91精选鈥檚 approaches prepare nurses well for their careers, according to Veronica Troglia MSN, RN-BC, manager of patient care services at OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park, Ill. 鈥淚 am always looking to hire from the best. The nurses I have taken from 91精选 come well prepared and with a sense of drive and passion,鈥 she said. 鈥淭hey are organized, well rounded, and adjust to the acute care setting with ease and a sense of comfort.鈥濃

The NCLEX-RN exams are administered by NCSBN, through which boards of nursing act and counsel together to provide regulatory excellence for public health, safety, and welfare. The exam is taken after the student graduates from a bachelor鈥檚 degree-granting nursing program.

91精选鈥檚 nursing program is regularly recognized as the best in both the state and around the country by organizations such as鈥U.S. News & World Report. 91精选鈥檚 nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.

For students who may be drawn to other health-related fields, 91精选 also offers many majors, including health communication,听social work,听psychology, exercise science, and more!听And 91精选鈥檚听nursing curriculum is听set up in a way that students can often have the flexibility to听pursue a different major, according to Dr. Tina Decker 鈥06, associate professor of nursing and department chair.听鈥淭he听Foundation courses taken during the first two years of the program not only help prepare students to be well-rounded nurses educated in the liberal arts tradition, but also apply to any major on campus,鈥 she said.听鈥淭hat way,听if students find themselves looking to use their gifts in different health-related听majors, they can typically do so within the same expected graduation date.鈥澨

颁濒颈肠办鈥here鈥痶o learn more about 91精选鈥檚 nursing program.