Williamsburg Technical College Practical Nursing Grads All Pass State Exam

Nine students who successfully completed the inaugural practical nursing program at Williamsburg Technical College have all passed the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX).  This accomplishment means they are all licensed and ready for employment at any of the area health care facilities.

Students who completed the program and  passed the NCLEX are: James Fulton of Florence; Dee Godwin of Lake City; Crystal Kingcade of Florence; Thomas E. Lee of Barrineau; Eric McDaniel of Hemingway; Frances Moore of Lake City; Holli Powell of Kingstree; Amie Teal of Scranton; and Jamie Webb of Kingstree. 

“This is a tremendous accomplishment,” says Sheila Forester, director of the nursing program.  “It’s a challenging program topped off with a very tough exam.  Clearly, the pass rate is something we are all very proud of in our first year of the program, and it reflects not only the high quality of the students who completed the program, but also the high quality of the instructors who taught them.”  Forester is assisted in running the program by nursing instructor Michelle Jones.

“This is just another example of the high quality found at Williamsburg Technical College and it is all encompassing - our instructors, our lab facilities and equipment, and the students who met our admissions standards,” says Cleve H. Cox, president of the College. “For there to be a 100% passing rate for our first class of practical nursing students speaks well for all who are a part of this.  We are extremely proud of our graduates, our instructors, and our staff."

The practical nursing program is designed primarily for recent high school graduates and adults looking for advanced job training to fill nursing vacancies in area hospitals, health departments, home health agencies, and private residential and related health care facilities.  The curriculum combines classroom instruction with laboratory practice and clinical experience to prepare students to care for acutely and chronically ill patients, to help rehabilitate patients, and to share in the prevention of illness in hospitals, extended care facilities, doctors' offices, clinics, schools, and private industry.

For program acceptance, students must pass the pre-admission exam (PAX) and, upon successful completion of the year-long program, must pass the NCLEX to become licensed practical nurses. PAX exam dates for 2008 will begin in January and will be available at www.wiltech.edu soon.