Northern Kentucky University’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program has achieved a 100 percent first-time pass rate on the NCLEX licensure exam for 2025.
Over the past three years, NKU nursing graduates have posted a 99.6% average pass rate, consistently outperforming regional peers and positioning graduates to enter the workforce immediately in a field where demand remains high.
The results come at a time when health care across Kentucky, Ohio and Indiana continue to face persistent nursing shortages, increasing the need for well-prepared, practice-ready graduates.
“Earning a nursing degree is about more than passing an exam, it’s about preparing students to step into one of the most critical roles in our communities,” said Dr. Gannon Tagher, dean of NKU’s College of Health and Human Services. “These results reflect the strength of our program and the commitment of our faculty to ensuring students are ready to deliver high- quality care from day one.”
NKU’s program combines hands-on clinical experience, strong regional health care partnerships and a focus on real-world application, giving students the opportunity to build skills in the environments where they will ultimately work.
Graduates are entering a workforce where demand continues to outpace supply, particularly in hospitals, long-term care settings and community health organizations. According to national workforce projections, the need for registered nurses is expected to remain strong throughout the next decade, driven by an aging population and increased demand for health care services.
With competitive tuition and accreditation through the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), NKU’s BSN program offers a high-value pathway into one of the most in- demand professions in the region.
“Our goal is simple: graduate nurses who are confident, capable and ready to meet the needs of the communities they serve,” says Tagher. “These results show that we are doing exactly that.”
Northern Kentucky University