PA, CSD and nursing programs boasted 100 percent pass rates on national standardized tests. The physician's assistant (PA), communication sciences and disorders (CSD) graduate programs and the nursing program sustained a record of 100 percent pass rates for graduate standardized tests, drawing many students to Harding. The bachelor of science in nursing (BSN) graduates were required to take a national licensing exam, NCLEX-RN, to become registered nurses. Beginning in May 2016, Harding BSN graduates earned a 100 percent pass race on the NCLEX, resulting in the Harding program being named as the No. 1 school in Arkansas for the highest 5-year pass rate. "The students are committed co disciplined work in order to provide all patients with safe and quality professional and advanced practice nursing care," Dr. Susan Kehl, associate professor and dean of che Carr College of Nursing, said. "They are tested frequently on all copies of patient safety and quality care, and they are held co high clinical standards to learn how co function in their new roles." The PA graduate program maintained a 100 percent pass race beginning with the class of 2010. Dr. Gary Hill, professor and program director of the PA program, spoke about one aspect of the program that contributed co the success of the graduates. "Our PA program has a very dedicated group of faculty and staff who work very well together and expend a lot of effort to train our students to do the best they can," Hill said. "We all spend countless hours more than required to see that our students receive the best education possible." Similarly, the CSD department sustained a 100 percent pass rate in the Praxis licensure exam since 2014. "This is the 10th year of our program," Dr. Melanie Meeker, associate professor, program director and department chair of CSD, said. "We have our 11th class started this August and in the history of the program, I can only recall two students who have not passed that test." Meeker went on to say that she believed the preparation chat the students went through in the program was what set Harding graduates apart. "I chink they are well rounded," Meeker said. "They're well prepared, they are going co be great professionals, and so, the strong pass rate on the licensure exam is just a reflection of that. I also think that we are pretty mindful of teaching students good test-taking skills. We try to help them learn where the bar is in terms of expectations." Senior CSD major Sarah Diesing said that part of Harding's appeal for students was the success in the accreditation requirements, not just test scores. "The ASHA accreditation is very important," Diesing said. "That is like the standard of whether or not it's a good university. [ASHA accredicors] have like hundreds of stipulations chat we have to be completely competent on. Harding was very proud that after two days, they had a conference with all che faculty in the program and [ASHA] told them that they didn't have any issues [with] any of the [hundreds of stipulations]." Dr. Greg Brooks, associate professor of nursing and assistant dean of student affairs, explained the benefits of the program and high pass rates. "We're able to show that we're an effective program to prepare our students for the NCLEX and for future practice." Brooks said. "The students feel confident that they're getting a good education, and that they'll be prepared when they graduate. They still feel nervous when they graduate, but they do feel prepared." story by Macy McClung & Emma Aly 101 I HEALTH SCIENCE &ALLIED HEALTH
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