News release Public Information Office  SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu summer 05 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 12/15/05   SOUTHEASTERN STUDENTS REGISTER TOP SCORES IN NURSING EXAM        HAMMOND -- Students in Southeastern Louisiana University’s nursing program recorded among the highest passage rates in the state for the past two quarters in the national licensure examination for registered nurses.        The university’s passage rate of 94.6 surpassed the state’s average passing rate of 89.6 and the nation’s average of 87.8.         “Louisiana programs consistently rank fairly high in passage rates, which is a tribute to the quality of nursing education in the state,” said Donnie Booth, dean of the College of Nursing and Health Sciences. “To be at the top within the state is truly a recognition of excellence.”        Southeastern graduates about 125-130 nursing students every year, making it among the largest programs in the state, Booth said. Approximately 360 students are enrolled in clinical courses at any one time in the program, which is accredited by the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.        “The nursing program regularly registers passage rates above 92 percent on this national exam, above both state and national averages,” said John Crain, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “This is important because of the serious shortages of nurses in this area and throughout the nation. The students’ performance on this challenging examination is recognition of the excellent academic and clinical education they are receiving at Southeastern.”        “We’re fortunate to have a stable faculty of professionals who are involved in a multitude of activities, including research, practice, community service, and professional organizations,” said Barbara Moffett, director of the School of Nursing. “They are excellent role models and help us to attract good students who as graduates make significant contributions to health care in our region.”        Booth attributes the success of Southeastern students to the emphasis the program places on critical thinking among the students. “They have learned to carefully evaluate situations so they can make correct assessments and decisions. We also provide opportunities for achievement testing, so the students can recognize any weaknesses they may have and work on them before taking the national exam.”        The Southeastern nursing program was particularly challenged this semester with the introduction of more than 160 “guest” students displaced from various New Orleans institutions by Hurricane Katrina. This included students from both associate and baccalaureate degree programs like that offered at Southeastern.        “It was difficult trying to determine what courses these students had taken and what they needed here at Southeastern,” Booth said. “Immediately following the hurricane, communication with these institutions and access to student records was difficult, if not impossible. But we blended these students into our program as well as we could.”        Southeastern also offers a masters program in nursing. The program offers role concentrations in nursing administration, education, clinical nurse specialist, and adult nurse practitioner in consortium with several other universities.