TAMIU Nursing Students Pass Licensure Exam
Fulfilling the mission of the Dr. F.M. Canseco School of Nursing to prepare nurses to address the health care needs of Laredo and the mid-Rio Grande region, May nursing graduates of Texas A&M International University celebrated a 100 percent pass rate on their nursing licensure examinations.
"In our program this spring, we had 19 graduates," said Dr. Susan Walker, director of the Canseco School of Nursing and professor of nursing, "and all of them passed the licensure exam on their first attempt — which is a remarkable feat. They are people who sacrificed a great deal to be in school and most of them have family responsibilities or are working. They have put aside a lot to achieve that goal. We are so proud of that group."
To put it in context, Dr. Walker added that the group's passing rate is something that is not equaled in the state or probably the nation. The faculty has even been invited to other schools to consult about what it is they do to help students achieve the resulting pass rate.
"It's not a secret. It's mainly the hard work of the students and the faculty. They are not only very dedicated; they are also very caring. They give time outside of classes — nights and weekends and extra tutorials," added Dr. Walker.
The licensure exam is a computer adaptive test and students can have anywhere from 75 questions to 265 questions, depending on their level of knowledge and how they answer a particular question.
BSN students who passed the licensure exam include:
Andres A. Arreguin, Karletta Balcuns, Sara Barker, Mara Castaneda, Hilda Luisa Enriquez, Maria Figueroa, Laura Grimaldo, Melissa Guerra, Valerie Meurer, Elsa Morales, Maria L. Moro, Christina Palizo, Emmanuel Perez, Monika Lorena Prado, Erica Sanchez, Sara Ann San Ramon, Rosa Rueda, Sofia Salinas, and Tammy Treviño.
According to Dr. Walker, some students failed the NCLEX Exam in the past because of the number of questions.
"We now have different students in the same class having a different number of questions on a test so they have the experience of having someone else finish and leave the room while they're still there. They learn to concentrate and pay attention,” she explained.
The School’s state of the art computer lab, CD-ROM, videos, and computer labs also helped students prepare for the computerized test.
“To meet their unique learning needs, our students have been given a huge level of support in the forms of direct scholarships, learning materials and facilities from the Lamar Bruni Vergara Trust, Canseco Foundation, Ike and Doris Epstein, Doctor’s Hospital, Women’s City Club, the former Mercy Hospital and others. Now they are giving something back by working in this community and in some of the rural communities around it," added Dr. Walker.
For more information, please contact Dr. Walker at 326.2574, e-mail swalker@tamiu.edu or visit offices in Dr. F.M. Canseco Hall, room 315A.
University office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Journalists who need additional information or help with media requests and interviews should contact the Office of Public Affairs and Information Services at pais@tamiu.edu