BGSU nursing program achieves 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate

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4. BGSU nursing program achieves 100% first-time NCLEX pass rate

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Bowling Green State University bachelor's program in nursing recently achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN), marking a significant milestone in the program's early history and placing it among the top programs in Ohio.

The accomplishment represents the program's first time earning a 100% pass rate on the national licensure exam, achieved by the fourth cohort, which graduated in December 2025.

"We are committed to preparing BGSU students to enter the workforce career-ready, which means continually evaluating and strengthening how we support their learning," said Lisa Jacobs, DNP, director of the BGSU School of Nursing. "Achieving a 100% first-time pass rate within the program's first five years reflects the dedication of our faculty, the strength of our approach to student success and the hard work of our students."

The School of Nursing enrolled its first cohort in 2021, and its NCLEX pass rate has risen consistently since the first class graduated.

Earning a 100% pass rate in fall 2025 placed the BGSU BSN program in the top 12% of programs in Ohio.

BGSU launched its standalone School of Nursing in 2020 to support workforce needs and address a nationwide nursing shortage. Since then, the BGSU School of Nursing has built an impressive reputation for producing highly qualified graduates prepared to meet the demands of today's evolving healthcare landscape.

Nearly 100% of BGSU nursing students are employed at graduation, with about three-fourths securing conditional job offers months before earning their degrees.

In addition to classroom learning, students apply their skills in state-of-the-art labs - including a 29-bed skills lab and a four-bed high-fidelity simulation lab - where they can practice real-world scenarios and participate in debriefing sessions. Students also complete clinical placements through the University's regional and statewide partnerships.

As part of the BGSU commitment to career preparation - ranked No. 1 in Ohio - the nursing program regularly invites local and regional healthcare representatives, including those from the world-renowned Cleveland Clinic, to campus to speak to nursing students about career opportunities.

High demand for the program led to expanding spring enrollment to 80 students, matching fall enrollment and increasing the number of nursing graduates entering the workforce across the state.