2023 CSM Practical Nursing Graduates Pass Boards on First Attempt

Program sees 100% pass rate for second straight year

OMAHA, Neb. – For the second straight year, College of Saint Mary (CSM) Practical Nursing Certificate (PNC) program graduates earned a 100% pass rate on their first attempt at the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN). The NCLEX-PN is a test that measures a person’s knowledge and expertise of the essential skills that are required to safely enter the field of practical nursing.

The CSM graduates took their boards between June and October. All have since been hired at area healthcare facilities.

“While this is a vigorous program, this group was persistent and worked hard to reach their goals,” said Jennifer Kuchta, EdD, director of the PNC program. “We’re proud of their accomplishments.”

The nursing graduates’ success is bolstered by CSM’s comprehensive wrap-around services, including post-graduation NCLEX coaching.

“This transformative program addresses multiple critical aspects,” said Christi Glesmann, EdD, CSM’s nurse administrator. “First, it ensures a seamless transition from academia to real-world nursing practice, boosting graduates’ confidence and competence. Second, it equips them with essential tools for effective licensure exam preparation, significantly enhancing their success rates. Timely entry into the field positively impacts healthcare quality.”

In 2022, 27 students, the largest PNC class to graduate from CSM, earned a 100% pass rate.

“Our commitment underscores our dedication to our students and the nursing workforce, enhancing our program’s reputation and attracting prospective students looking for comprehensive support,” Glesmann added. “Well-prepared nurses provide higher-quality patient care, elevating overall healthcare quality. CSM takes pride in setting a commendable standard in healthcare education with this proactive and supportive approach to professional development.”

For the past 50+ years, CSM has been dedicated to educating and developing excellent nurses by blending knowledge of science and technology with an innate ability to provide compassionate care. CSM has been honored as a College of Distinction with recognition in nursing for the past two years.

CSM recently established the Josie Harper Nursing Scholarship to help students, including those who are first-generation, single parents, ethnic minorities and/or Pell-eligible, who desire a nursing career. Through the generosity of the Harper Family Foundation, CSM will provide a debt-free pathway to 100 new nursing students over four years, which will in turn help overcome healthcare disparities within the Omaha community. The first set of scholarships was awarded in spring 2022.

To learn more about the many nursing tracks at CSM, go to CSM.edu/Nursing.

2023 Practical Nursing Certificate Program Graduates

Afi Awussi, Omaha

Tiara Brown, Omaha

Taylor Buhr, Ashland, NE

Tiara Culberson, Omaha

Jennifer Knotek, Omaha

Abla Lagneble, Omaha

Victoria Legere, Gretna, NE

Rikki Loye, Council Bluffs, Iowa

Emerald Matheson, Omaha

Noel Paventi, Bellevue, NE

Katie Payne, Omaha

Kayla Richmond, Omaha

Jessie Slagle, Omaha

Marisella Tellez, Bellevue, NE