Class of 2020 Lincoln Memorial University-Caylor School of Nursing (LMU-CSON) graduates from the master of science in nursing nurse anesthesia concentration have achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Certification Exam (NCE).
The board administers the NCE to measure the knowledge, skills and abilities necessary for entry-level nurse anesthesia practitioners. The NCE is a variable-length computerized adaptive test for entry into nurse anesthesia practice. All 16 members of LMU-CSON’s Class of 2020, who graduated in December, have now passed the exam on their first attempt.
The national average for pass rate on the first attempt is 85.2%. In each of the last three years, LMU-trained nurses have exceeded the national average. Additionally, LMU grads readily find employment upon certification. The Class of 2020 also had 100% employment within weeks of graduation in December.
Accreditation and educational standards will be changing in 2022. The Council on Accreditation of Nurse Anesthesia Education Program (COA) has set Jan. 1, 2022, as the date for all students matriculating into a nurse anesthesia education program, to do so in a program approved by the COA to award a practice doctoral degree. LMU has submitted its application to COA for approval to award the doctor of nursing practice in nurse anesthesia. Pending approval by COA, LMU-CSON plans to enroll its first doctoral cohort in January 2022.
LMU is currently recruiting for its last cohort of MSN nurse anesthesia students. The deadline to apply is March 22, 2021. Classes will begin on the LMU main campus in Harrogate, Tennessee, in August. Students are required to travel for clinical rotations in hospitals/affiliates in Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia and Georgia.
For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or e-mail at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
Kate M. Reagan is senior director of marketing and public relations at Lincoln Memorial University.