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Before you can become a registered nurse, you must pass the National Council Licensure Exam (NCLEX), which is designed to test critical thinking, solid decision-making and to provide safe and effective nursing care for the patient.

��������’s Bachelor of Science in nursing (BSN) program graduates are passing the NCLEX at an exceptional rate. The December 2023 class passed the exam on the first try at 100 percent. In the past four years, GGC’s nursing students passed the exam on the first try at 93.71 percent.

“That’s second highest in the state of Georgia for BSN programs,” said Dr. Paula Gordon, interim dean for the School of Health Sciences and associate professor of nursing, at GGC.

For Bachelors nursing programs, the four-year national average for a first time NCLEX pass rate is 87.22 percent. In the state of Georgia, that rate is 87 percent.

What’s the secret to GGC’s success?

“It’s our dedicated faculty and the methodology they use to teach our students,” said Gordon. “It’s interactive in that students participate in activities to understand and then apply the concepts they learn. It’s not a typical classroom setting where the professor stands at the front of the class and lectures.”

Complementing the interactive learning experience are the two simulation labs students use to practice.

“The skills lab is where students start to learn the basic technical skills of nursing and our simulation lab is state of the art with hi-fidelity mannequins that give our students a close to real setting to apply their critical thinking skills.” added Gordon. “We also have a setting like an apartment where we simulate home visits and care.

Gordon also credits the program’s clinical partners, which provides students with real world experience.

“Our students graduate with their bachelor’s degree in nursing, and are fully prepared for the NCLEX,” said Gordon.

The job placement rate after graduation is 100 percent.

GGC graduates nurses in May and December of each year. For more information about GGC’s nursing program, visit www.ggc.edu/NursingDegree.