New London, N.H. — (April 28, 2023) The inaugural cohort of Colby-Sawyer College’s new Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program graduated in December and earned a remarkable 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).

“The students in this program receive training of the highest quality, both in the classroom and in clinicals, and that leads to exceptional results, as demonstrated by our first cohort’s 100% pass-rate on the NCLEX,” Colby-Sawyer College Dean of the School of Nursing & Health Sciences and Director of Clinical Partnerships Kevin Finn said.

The ABSN cohort’s perfect pass rate on the NCLEX exam aligns with a well-established record of high pass rates for graduates of Colby-Sawyer’s traditional nursing program. According to Finn, this is a testament to the quality of education and the commitment to excellence demonstrated at Colby-Sawyer College. He believes that the program's robust curriculum, knowledgeable faculty and hands-on clinical experiences played a pivotal role in equipping these students with the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to excel in their nursing careers.

The ABSN is a sixteen-month program designed for students with a bachelor’s degree in any discipline who wish to transition into a career in nursing. In this intensive program, ABSN students enter the clinical setting during their first semester. It is distinguished by Colby-Sawyer’s unique partnership with Dartmouth Health.

“Through our partnership with Dartmouth Health, our students complete their clinicals at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, a world-class teaching hospital and Level 1 trauma center,” Finn said. “After completing the program, they are guaranteed a position with Dartmouth Health.” As a result, 100% of the members of this year’s class are currently employed in the field.

Robin Leboeuf, ABSN program coordinator, said that the program’s small class sizes and opportunities to participate in patient care through small group simulations in collaboration with the Patient Safety Training Center at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center likely contributed to the inaugural class’s extraordinary success as well.

Colby-Sawyer’s partnership with Dartmouth Health dates back to 1981, the year after Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, then known as Mary Hitchcock Memorial Hospital, dissolved its own nursing program. The partnership has garnered additional interest in recent years as hospitals across the country have struggled to meet a high demand for nursing professionals. The ABSN program was designed to help address this shortage in the state of New Hampshire.

“CSC continues to address the nursing shortage and increasing need to prepare nurses at the baccalaureate and higher degree level, with its successful CCNE accredited ABSN program,” Joan Loftus, director and chair of the Colby-Sawyer nursing program, said. “Our ABSN program prepares students for success with mentorship from expert faculty who are knowledgeable about the complexities of today’s health care system. Our students are well positioned to join the frontlines of healthcare in 16 months.”

The next cohort of Colby-Sawyer ABSN students will graduate in December 2023.