Blinn Associate Degree Nursing Program again cited as one of the state’s best
RNCareers.org recognizes the program’s exceptional hands-on learning opportunities and success rate
May 29, 2019
For the second time this month, the Blinn College District Associate Degree Nursing (ADN) Program has been ranked among the best in the state by an independent website dedicated to assisting prospective nurses in reaching their dream careers.
RNCareers.org recently named Blinn’s program No. 4 out of a total of 58 ADN programs in Texas and celebrated it as one of the best nursing schools in the nation with a grade of 95.71 percent.
“Nurses are the backbone of the healthcare system,” said Laura Jacobson, feature writer for RNCareers.org. “Preparing great nurses is something we’d like to acknowledge Blinn College for doing so well.”
RNCareers.org is maintained by a team of nurse educators, nurse practitioners, registered nurses (RNs), and licensed vocational nurses (LVNs). A total of 1,892 RN programs were evaluated on a number of factors important to nursing students, including program offerings and first-time National Council License Examination (NCLEX-RN) passing rates for the last three years as reported by their state boards of nursing.
Blinn’s recognition comes on the heels of its No. 19 statewide ranking among 119 colleges and universities from registerednursing.org earlier this month.
“This most recent ranking is a testament to the hard work of our experienced faculty and determined students,” said Karla Ross, ADN Program Director. “Our faculty has developed a rigorous curriculum that includes state-of-the-art simulations and hands-on clinical experiences and our students consistently rise to the challenge of this demanding coursework.”
Blinn ADN graduates posted a 96.39 percent pass rate on the national licensure examination in 2018, surpassing the national average of 88.56 percent and the state average of 91.65 percent. All 35 members of Blinn’s Fall 2018 graduating class passed the NCLEX-RN, making it the seventh class to post a 100 percent pass rate.
“Our nursing program implements cutting-edge research in nursing education practice to ensure our students are fully prepared for careers in our community,” said Tom Lescarbeau, Dean of Health Sciences.
Nursing students spend at least two days per week in clinical rotations, in addition to lab, simulation, and lecture time. Most students dedicate 15 to 24 hours each week to scheduled program activities and at least 30 hours per week are focused on study and preparation.
“Attending the Blinn ADN Program gave me a solid foundation for the position I hold as a labor and delivery RN and encouraged me to continue my education to become a nurse practitioner,” said 2017 program alumna Ashley Frei, RN, Labor and Delivery at CHI St. Joseph Health. “When I started working, I felt very confident in my education and abilities.”
According to the Texas Higher Education Coordination Board’s CollegeForAllTexans.com, out-of-district Blinn students who enroll in 30 credit hours during the 2019-20 academic year will save $4,036 (42%) in tuition and fees compared to students at public universities across the state. In addition to Blinn’s low tuition and fees, the Blinn Foundation offers more than 200 endowed scholarships available to incoming and returning students from a wide range of backgrounds, majors, and experiences. Current and prospective students can complete a single application to apply for all Blinn at www.blinn.edu/scholarships.
Blinn’s ADN Program has transfer articulation agreements in place with Prairie View A&M University, Stephen F. Austin State University, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, the University of Texas at Austin, the University of Texas at Tyler, and the University of Texas Medical Branch.
“We are amazed at the caliber of nursing students from Blinn College,” said Catarina VanOrman, Intensive Care Unit Manager at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center-College Station. “We continually see students who are engaged and enthusiastic and also possess a strong knowledge base. The instructors are invested not only in teaching their students, but in fostering positive relationships with our staff, allowing us to collaboratively improve the clinical experience at Baylor Scott & White.”
Students who complete Blinn’s ADN Program and pass the NCLEX-RN have a job placement rate between 97 and 100 percent and are qualified for a wide array of nursing positions, including pediatric, geriatric, hospice, school, and clinical nursing. New graduates can expect to earn an average of $53,000 per year.
For more information regarding the Blinn ADN Program, visit www.blinn.edu/associate-degee-nursing.
