LAS VEGAS - January 26, 2010 - UNLV's School of Nursing posted an impressive 94.6 percent pass rate for its graduates who took the national licensure exam for the first time in 2009 - with 100 percent of the school's test takers passing the exam in the fourth quarter.

The 94.6 percent pass rate on the National Certification Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) marks a 10 percent increase over the school's 2008 rate of 84.7 percent, and is nearly seven percent higher than the 2009 national average of close to 88 percent.

In all, 122 of 129 UNLV nursing graduates passed the exam on the first try in 2009. The NCLEX tests the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for entry-level nurses to practice both safely and effectively. As the final step in the nurse licensure process, the NCLEX is also a good indicator of how many new nurses are entering the profession.

"The licensure exam is an important way to evaluate how effectively we're preparing our students to enter the nursing workforce," said Carolyn Yucha, dean of UNLV's School of Nursing. "We're pleased that a record number of our students are graduating at a high level and are ready to meet the evolving healthcare needs of Nevadans."

Collectively, the seven Nevada System of Higher Education schools achieved a 90.6 percent pass rate on the exam in 2009.

For more information on the UNLV School of Nursing, please visit http://nursing.unlv.edu.