Misericordia University nursing students who recently graduated from the Bachelor of Science degree program surpassed both the state and national averages for pass rates on the National Council Licensure Examination exams during the past year.

The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) was developed by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) to ensure the public’s protection. In order to receive a permanent certification, a nursing candidate must pass an examination that measures the competencies newly licensed, entry-level nurses have to perform safely and effectively, according to NCSBN.

Cynthia Mailloux, Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Nursing at Misericordia University

Recent Misericordia University BSN graduates achieved an 88.14 percent pass rate for first-time test-takers who took the NCLEX-RN examination between Oct. 1, 2010 and Sept. 30, 2011. Misericordia graduates surpassed both the average national pass rate of 87.81 percent and the average pass rate of 87.66 percent at other colleges and universities in Pennsylvania.

“In recent years, Misericordia University has invested significant dollars into technology and labs for our nursing students,’’ said Cynthia Mailloux, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Nursing at Misericordia University. “Our students’ pass rates are a direct reflection of their hard work and determination, and the university’s investment in our program. The program’s curriculum has also been revised in recent years to reflect trends in health care, changes in accreditation standards and the integration of technology.

“The more rigorous standards are a sign of the times in health care. Nurses are tasked with added responsibilities in hospital and clinical settings, so the licensure examination reflects those added challenges,’’ Dr. Mailloux added.

The Department of Nursing at Misericordia University is housed in the new John J. Passan Hall, the home of the College of Health Sciences. The third-floor suite features the state-of-the-art Erwine Nursing Lab and Classroom with eight hospital beds and high-tech bedside technology, including health-care informatics. Misericordia nursing also gain hands-on experience in two simulator labs that feature a full-size SimMan and SimBaby.

Misericordia University has the oldest nursing program in the area and graduates more students in the health sciences than any other college or university in Northeastern Pennsylvania. Misericordia is regionally acclaimed and nationally recognized for its dedication to training imminently qualified practitioners in a myriad of fields, including health informatics, medical imaging, medical science, nursing, nuclear medicine, physical therapy, occupational therapy, sonography and speech-language pathology.

For more information about the nursing program at Misericordia University, please visit www.misericordia.edu/nursing.