MCC Practical Nursing program looking forward to bright future

Mohave Community College Practical Nursing (PN) Program, approved by the Arizona State Board of Nursing, is enacting changes that will improve the college’s first time national board exam pass rate.

Over the past two years, the first time pass rate has for PN students dropped below the state standard of 80% and the College is pleased to consent to a probationary status with the State Board.

“We have built a great team here, and the recommended areas of improvement to increase the pass rates are being put into place,” said June Weiss, MCC’s Director of Nursing Programs.

Weiss recently accepted the newly created MCC position of overseeing all of the College’s nursing programs. Registered Nursing (RN) and Practical Nursing Step-Out program students achieved 96% and 100% national board pass rates respectively for first time takers in 2017. The Step-Out program allows an option for current RN students to “step-out” of the program and gain employment as a practical nurse.

“Our RN and PN Step-Out program students have scored far above the state standard on the national board exams and we’re looking forward to improvements in the PN program,” Weiss said.

The two-year probation period for the PN program is the least restrictive approach and does not affect the status of students moving through the program, or their opportunity to graduate and begin their career as Practical Nurses.   This also does not impact the college’s ability to accept future students.

“This status is part of the great process Arizona has in place to ensure students are receiving a quality education,” said MCC Chief of Academic Affairs Stephen Eaton.  “We’re looking forward to seeing the results of the changes already made to help bring the PN scores back above the state standard.”