School of Health Professions Scores High

NYIT nursing, physician assistant (PA), and physical therapy (PT) students not only are landing reputable fellowships and prestigious jobs, but they also boast three of the highest licensure pass rates in 2016.

The first-time pass rate for NYIT nursing students who took the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) in 2016 was 97.67 percent—18 percent higher than the New York state average. Just days after getting that good news, the School of Health Professions received word that physician assistant students achieved a 100 percent first-time pass rate for 2016; students who graduate from an accredited PA program take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Examination (PANCE) in order to become licensed to practice clinically. Later, the school announced that its 2016 physical therapy students who took the National Physical Therapist Examination (NPTE) also achieved a 100 percent pass rate; they are now fully licensed to practice.

The NCLEX-RN exam is a standardized test that each state board of nursing uses to determine whether or not a candidate is prepared for entry-level nursing practice. “We are continuously striving towards excellence in competency,” said Susan Neville, Ph.D., professor and chair of Nursing. “The NCLEX-RN pass rates have to meet or exceed the benchmark for establishing accreditation. NYIT has exceeded that expected benchmark. It’s an indication of the quality of our educational program.”

“Outstanding results such as these attract strong candidates who want to be part of a program that has an excellent track record of graduating students who pass the PANCE, especially on the first try because it shows they were well-prepared throughout their years in the program,” added Zehra Ahmed, assistant professor and chair of Physician Assistant Studies. “For NYIT, the program, all the students past and current, and of course those in the class of 2016, it brings a sense of pride and honor.”

In recent years, the three chairs have led strategic efforts to perform continuous assessment, evaluation, and analysis in order to create relevant curriculum and successful outcomes for students in their programs. “Our program is an intimate one that is focused on transcultural nursing care. We teach our students to care for all cultures and people and help prepare them to meet the healthcare demands of the future,” explained Neville.

Karen Friel, PT, D.H.S., professor and chair of Physical Therapy, credits the faculty members for the program’s success and said results such as these demonstrate the quality of teaching and experiential activities in which the students are engaged. “We have had a great run in the last five to seven years of helping our students achieve fantastic outcomes,” she said. “This has been the result of continuing to push our students to reach their full potential. Faculty members stay current with trends in the industry as well as research that supports what we do, and that transmits directly to what is taught in the classroom.”

Added Ahmed, “I believe we have all the ingredients for success. We expect high standards from our students, both academically and professionally. They are trained from the beginning to be independent, critical-thinking adult learners.”