PHX Reporter

Paradise Valley Community College (PVCC) has been recognized as one of the top nursing schools in Arizona, earning the No. 4 spot in Nursing Explorer's 2024 rankings of the state's best Registered Nurse (RN) programs. This recognition highlights PVCC's commitment to excellence in nursing education and its success in preparing students for their careers as registered nurses.

“Being ranked among the top RN programs in Arizona is a testament to the dedication and hard work of Paradise Valley Community College’s faculty, staff, and students. PVCC's placement in this year's rankings reflects its strong commitment to nursing education and the success of its graduates in achieving their professional goals,” said Jessica Bruhn, PVCC Nursing director.

Nursing Explorer is an organization dedicated to providing prospective nursing students with accurate and up-to-date information. This year's list of top nursing schools was compiled by analyzing NCLEX-RN pass rates from the last three years. The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) is a critical exam that all nursing graduates must pass to become licensed to practice.

To ensure their rankings are both rigorous and reliable, Nursing Explorer follows a detailed and transparent methodology:

Data Collection: Nursing Explorer's ranking process is grounded in NCLEX-PN (Practical Nursing) and NCLEX-RN pass rates, which are obtained from state boards of nursing. This data spans three years, up to and including 2023, providing a comprehensive view of a program's long-term performance.

Eligibility Criteria: Programs must have graduated students in at least two of the past three years and must maintain an average pass rate of 80 percent or higher to be considered for inclusion. This ensures the rankings are based on consistent and reliable data, rather than isolated instances of success.

Pass Rate Calculation: For each program, Nursing Explorer calculates the average NCLEX-RN pass rate over the last three years, smoothing out any year-to-year fluctuations and offering a balanced view of a program's effectiveness in preparing students for the licensing exam.

Selecting the right nursing program is crucial for students as it can significantly impact their education and future careers. Nursing Explorer's rankings provide a valuable resource for students by offering:

Comparative Insights: Students can compare nursing programs in Arizona based on objective criteria.

Consistency Assessment: By focusing on a three-year average pass rate, the rankings offer insights into how consistently programs prepare their students for the NCLEX exams.