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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (February 8, 2002) — For the third year in a row, Milligan’s graduating BSN class received a 100 percent first-time pass rate on their national licensure exam. The Tennessee Board of Nursing, which granted Milligan full approval of its program in December 1999, requires that 85 percent of an institution’s nursing graduates pass the examination on the first attempt to be fully approved by the Board of Nursing.
“We have not only met the 85 percent requirement by the TBN, we have far exceeded it,” said Melinda Collins, interim director of Milligan’s Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. “We are one of a few programs in the state to reach the 100 percent mark and receive commendation from TBN.”
Collins noted that the NCLEX is practice-based, and professors weave principles on the test throughout their curriculum. An additional course component was also added to the curriculum three years ago, providing the senior nursing students with focused preparation for the NCLEX.
“In preparation for entry into the profession as well as the NCLEX, Milligan’s nursing program is practice-based. Couple that with Milligan’s Christian education, and our graduates are at an advantage to better understand and meet the needs of their patients,” said Collins.
The success of the program has led to an enrollment that will double the number of graduates ready to enter practice over the next several years.
Collins reported that most of Milligan’s 2001 nursing graduates are now working locally in the Tri-Cities area. Previous graduates are also practicing in international missions, inpatient and outpatient settings, and three were recruited by the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. In addition, several graduates have advanced their professional roles through graduate studies in nursing at The University of Tennessee, Vanderbilt University, Carson-Newman College, Case Western Reserve, and East Tennessee State University.
Milligan’s academic dean, Dr. Mark Matson, said he is very pleased with the success of the nursing program and its contribution to the college’s mission.
“Clearly colleges that claim to prepare graduates for critical aspects of society – or as Milligan has framed its vision ‘to change lives and shape culture’ – must take seriously the health care industry,” said Matson. “Preparing servant leaders in the health care field is an essential part of Milligan’s commitment to the society that we serve.”
Matson explained that three crucial elements are needed to adequately prepare health care leaders for the 21st century – competence in the field, flexibility for the future, and an attitude of servant leadership.
“It should go without saying that competence in the chosen field should always be expected of college graduates in any field, but especially in the health care industry. Competency of graduates is the essential outcome of good education. We are proud of our outcomes.”
Flexibility, adaptability, and a broad base of knowledge is also important, explained Matson.
“With the health care industry, as with our whole society changing at an ever-increasing rate, we must do more than equip students with competent skills. We must equip them with the ability to think and grow in their fields for a lifetime of change. This is the primary function of a liberal arts education.”
But the true leader of the 21st century also will need an attitude of servant leadership, claimed Matson. “The servant leader thinks of what needs to be done for others rather than the self. The servant leader values moral considerations alongside technical competence. The servant leader builds up organizations and people for the future, rather than seeking the quick solution.”
“At Milligan, we focus on educating the whole person, so that our graduates will indeed change lives and shape culture,” said Matson. “We think our Christian liberal arts education, coupled with sound training in the health care fields, is the best recipe for the changing needs of health care in the next century. Our nursing graduates are prepared to meet those changing needs.”