Lipscomb scores 100% overall pass rate on Nursing licensing exam

Lipscomb scores 100% overall pass rate on Nursing licensing exam

Perfect marks continue School of Nursing excellence and honors over the past decade.

From Staff Reports | 01/14/2026

Lipscomb's School of Nursing continued its standard of excellence this year with a 100% overall pass rate for 2025 on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

The NCLEX-RN is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States and Canada. Lipscomb's December 2024 and May 2025 BSN graduating cohorts had a first-time pass rate of 97.1% on the exam (well above the national average), and after repeat testers that rate jumped to 100%.

The most recent licensing exam results complement a 100% job placement rate the school has enjoyed for the past decade, and continued years of excellence where Lipscomb's BSN graduates have routinely surpassed both state and national averages on the NCLEX-RN.

"I am truly elated by our recent and continued success. This is a testament to the hard work, dedication and resilience of our students, faculty and staff, and to our incredible clinical partners who bring learning to life in the clinical setting," said Chelsia Harris, executive director of Lipscomb's School of Nursing. "We give all glory to the Lord for His continued hand upon us as we love, teach, mentor, lead and empower students to become the kind of high-quality, compassionate nurses I would be honored to have care for me and my family-and that is exactly who they are!"

Housed in Lipscomb University's College of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing offers the Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, a four-year program for traditional undergraduate students and transfers, an Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing, allowing students with a bachelor's degree or higher in another field to earn a BSN in just 16 months through a hybrid format, and two credential programs offering online, self-paced courses for nurses who are transitioning into either new or advanced leadership roles.

The university's strong partnerships with more than 30 clinical sites, including Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt, National Healthcare Corporation, Ascension and HCA Healthcare provide students with diverse and practical clinical experiences.

Lipscomb's BSN program is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) (www.acenursing.org/), the leading authority in nursing accreditation that provides specialized accreditation for all levels of nursing education and transition-to-practice programs located in the United States, U.S. Territories and internationally.

Over the years, the School of Nursing has been ranked as one of the most diverse nursing schools in America by RNtoMSN.org and one of the best nursing schools in the nation and state by RNCareers.org. It has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report, a top 10 Nursing School by NursingSchoolHub.com and as a College of Distinction in Nursing. The program also has received multiple superior ratings from the Tennessee Board of Nursing at its regular site visits.

For more information visit www.lipscomb.edu/nursing.