The students who graduated from Lander University's nursing program in December of 2009 and took their licensing examinations have all received passing grades.
The National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) has notified the William Preston Turner Department of Nursing that the 10 students have qualified to receive licenses to practice.
The graduates are: Kristen Smith and Dana Schultz of Greenwood; Kim Abrams and Crystal Dickson of Laurens; Emily Horne of Abbeville; Cortney King of Honea Path; Mary Beth Kalbfleisch of Saluda; Meghan Hawley of Orangeburg; Addie Tomlinson of Kingstree and Khalidah Ali of Columbia.
Since 2003, Lander students have averaged a passing rate of well over 90 percent. Last year, the national average was 89 percent for baccalaureate nursing graduates who took the test for the first time.
Lander's nursing program was established in 1957 as the first nursing program in South Carolina to offer an associate degree. In 1986, the department was reorganized and began offering a four-year, baccalaureate curriculum.
The program also offers an online program that allows registered nurses to complete requirements for a bachelor's degree.
More information can be obtained by calling the William Preston Turner Department of Nursing at 864-388-8337 or by going to Lander's Web site at www.lander.edu/nursing.