SAU’s BSN program posts 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for second consecutive year
MAGNOLIA, AR (07/23/2026) Southern Arkansas University is celebrating a milestone two years in the making: for the second year running, all first-time BSN graduates have passed the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. It’s a testament to the dedication of SAU’s nursing faculty, students, and clinical partners, and a clear signal that the program is producing some of the most prepared graduate nurses in the state.
The Southern Arkansas University (SAU) Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) Program demonstrates outstanding achievement in program outcomes and successful implementation of the 2021 AACN Essentials, as evidenced by exceptional graduate performance on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). In Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), all 24 first-time BSN graduates (100%) passed the NCLEX-RN on their first attempt. This follows a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate in FY25, marking two consecutive years of perfect licensure outcomes. Among Arkansas baccalaureate nursing programs achieving a 100% first-time pass rate in FY26, SAU graduated and successfully prepared the largest cohort of first-time candidates, demonstrating the program’s consistent capacity to consistently produce graduates prepared for entry-level professional nursing practice consistently.
Graduate success on the NCLEX-RN provides strong evidence that students have achieved the competencies outlined in the AACN Essentials. Throughout the curriculum, students develop proficiency across the ten domains, including knowledge for nursing practice, person-centered care, population health, scholarship for nursing practice, quality and safety, interprofessional partnerships, systems-based practice, informatics and healthcare technologies, professionalism, and personal, professional, and leadership development. These competencies are intentionally integrated through classroom instruction, simulation, laboratory experiences, clinical practice, and competency-based assessments, preparing graduates to provide safe, evidence-based, equitable, and high-quality care across diverse healthcare settings.
The program’s licensure outcomes further demonstrate a strong commitment to competency-based education and continuous quality improvement. Faculty use multiple measures of student achievement, including course assessments, clinical evaluations, simulation performance, standardized testing, NCLEX-RN results, employer feedback, and graduate outcomes, to evaluate student learning and program effectiveness. These data are systematically reviewed to inform curricular revisions, instructional strategies, and resource allocation, ensuring ongoing alignment with evolving healthcare needs. This continuous evaluation process supports the development of graduates who demonstrate clinical judgment, effective communication, ethical decision-making, and leadership in professional practice.
The commitment of SAU faculty and students is central to these exceptional outcomes. Faculty foster a rigorous academic environment that challenges students to integrate scientific knowledge, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, and compassionate care throughout their education. Students are expected to demonstrate accountability, resilience, professionalism, and commitment to lifelong learning as they progress through increasingly complex learning experiences. These high expectations cultivate graduates prepared to meet the responsibilities of professional nursing practice and to contribute to improved health outcomes for individuals, families, communities, and populations.
The program is well positioned to address healthcare needs across Arkansas and the nation. These results highlight SAU’s dedication to excellence in baccalaureate nursing education and reinforce the program’s mission to train professional nurses who demonstrate the values and skills required in modern nursing practice.
“While we celebrate these outstanding NCLEX-RN results, we recognize that our greatest accomplishment is preparing graduates who will make a lasting difference in the lives of patients, families, and communities. Our mission extends beyond licensure success to developing compassionate, ethical, and practice-ready professional nurses,” said Dr. Karen Landry, Embree chair of the Department of Nursing and professor.
“As department chair, I am incredibly proud of our faculty, staff, students, alumni, and clinical partners, whose dedication has made this achievement possible. Two consecutive years of a 100% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate mark the first time in this program’s history and reflect a culture of excellence that continues to define the Southern Arkansas University Department of Nursing,” said Dr. Landry.
About SAU: Southern Arkansas University provides students with the complete college experience in a caring environment of service, innovation, and community. With more than 100 degrees across four distinct colleges and the School of Graduate Studies, SAU initiates new degree programs to meet the needs of today’s career and professional trends. To learn more about SAU, visit www.saumag.edu.