Grambling MSN grads maintain their perfect record - KNOE 8 News; KNOE-TV; KNOE.com |

GRAMBLING, La., (KNOE 8 News) - Grambling State University's 2011-2012 Master in Nursing (MSN) graduates have continued the tradition of 100% pass rate on the national certification exams. This standard of excellence was established by Grambling's first MSN graduating class of 1999.

"I am proud to say that our graduate program in nursing makes significant contribution to the health profession in the region," said Rama Tunuguntla, Ph.D., interim dean of the university's College of Professional Studies. "Our graduates applied themselves and we are proud of them. Our faculty produces top graduates and ensures that they pass their certification exams so that they can enter, what continues to be, a competitive profession."

"We are very proud of this program of excellence," added MSN Program Director Rhonda D. Hensley, Ed.D, APRN, BC. "Those in the nurse practitioner programs must complete the program plan of study, which includes a minimum of 700 clinical hours in a primary care health clinic during the course of their study time at GSU. When they receive their MSN diploma, they are eligible to take a national certification examination, which is required for them to achieve their advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) license from the state.

"The national pass rate for the national certification exams is 73%. Since our MSN program began, we have maintained 100% pass rate for the first time writers of their national certification exams, usually through the American Nurses Credentialing Center or the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners."

Hensley noted that once "the graduates complete the program and pass their national certification examination, they will receive their APRN license which allows them prescriptive authority in the state, and the privilege of practicing primary health care in a clinic."