Longwood nursing grads earn perfect NCLEX pass rate yet again

This is a high-stakes exam, and our students spend four years working with incredible strength and dedication to reach this point.

"This is a high-stakes exam, and our students spend four years working with incredible strength and dedication to reach this point," said Dr. Kim Little, professor and chair of the nursing department. "The consistent high pass rates among our first-time test-takers speak volumes about their capability and commitment to the profession. They're entering the workforce fully prepared to make a meaningful impact. I couldn't be prouder of them-and of our faculty, who choose every day to shape the next generation of nurses."

Longwood Nursing is among the top programs in Virginia, and across the country. The program continues to be ranked among the top 10 BSN Programs in the Southeast by NursingProcess.org.

Longwood's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program is highly competitive, receiving hundreds of applications each year for a limited number of spots. Unlike most other undergraduate programs, Longwood's nursing department accepts students directly into the program as freshmen and they begin Nursing coursework that year. In practice, that means that students get four years of hands-on learning, compared with their counterparts in other programs who may only receive two years of lab experience.

Every Virginia student considering a nursing career knows about Longwood University. Our reputation is a direct result of the outstanding work of our faculty and students.

"Every Virginia student considering a nursing career knows about Longwood University," said Dean of Admissions Jason "Ferg" Ferguson, M.S. '12. "Our reputation is a direct result of the outstanding work of our faculty and students. Applicants recognize that they're not just getting top-tier professional training, they're also joining a program where faculty truly care. Our professors invest personally in each student, offering one-on-one guidance to help them succeed. That kind of support is rare, even on a national level."

Longwood's nursing graduates have gone on to careers in surgical trauma, labor and delivery and emergency care, and more at some of the top hospitals in the country. Earlier this year, Longwood won a national award for excellence in core learning outcomes due to high survey scores related to core nursing knowledge. Longwood Nursing's approach to integrating diverse learning experiences and enhancing student success, means that students are well-prepared for the complexities of the nursing profession and well-equipped with essential knowledge and skills.

In 2024, Little was honored with the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, the Commonwealth's highest award for faculty work at its public and private colleges.

A nursing degree from Longwood means hospitals take note.

"A nursing degree from Longwood means hospitals take note," Little said. "They know they are hiring a well-trained, well-educated citizen leader who has been engaged in the classroom, lab and simulation settings in-person since the moment they arrived on campus. That makes an enormous difference, and it's part of why we continue to see success in our licensure pass rates."

Longwood's nursing program is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education.