WQIO Ohio's Super Station
Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s nursing program is once again being recognized as one of the top-performing programs in Ohio after graduates achieved a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) for the second consecutive year.
The NCLEX is the national licensing examination required for registered nurses in the United States and is widely regarded as one of the most important measures of a nursing program’s effectiveness.
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, the national first-time NCLEX pass rate for U.S.-educated candidates in 2025 was 86.7 percent. In Ohio, only eight nursing programs with 10 or more graduates earned a perfect first-time pass rate, placing MVNU among the state’s highest-performing nursing schools.
“This milestone reflects far more than exam results,” said Dr. Judy Gregg, dean of MVNU’s College of Arts and Sciences. “It represents years of hard work by our students, the faithful investment of our faculty and staff, and God’s continued blessing on this program. We are grateful to celebrate a second consecutive year of 100 percent success.”
MVNU’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical experiences, high-fidelity simulation training and individualized faculty mentoring. During their final semester, students participate in enhanced NCLEX preparation and continue working with faculty coaches as they transition from college into professional nursing careers.
Dr. Debra Garee, associate professor of nursing and division chair, said the back-to-back perfect pass rates demonstrate both the quality of the program and the support students receive throughout their education.
“We are incredibly proud of the Nursing Program’s graduates,” Garee said. “The 100 percent NCLEX pass rate for a second year in a row demonstrates that high standards, coupled with a culture of support, can produce strong nursing graduates.”
She added that the achievement enhances the visibility and credibility of MVNU’s nursing program while highlighting the dedication of faculty members, clinical partners and university leadership.
Accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, MVNU’s nursing program prepares graduates to meet healthcare needs in hospitals, clinics and communities across Ohio and around the world.
University leaders say the consecutive perfect pass rates reflect the institution’s continued commitment to academic excellence and its mission of preparing compassionate, highly skilled nurses to serve their communities.
For more information about Mount Vernon Nazarene University’s nursing program, visit mvnu.edu/nursing.
