| Nursing education programs in South Carolina generated some of the highest National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) pass rates in the nation for 2024, leading to a sixth-place showing for registered nursing and seventh for practical nursing while far exceeding the national average scores in both categories.
According to data released by the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, 2,964 registered nurse exams were administered to first-time takers across the state last year, with a pass rate of 94.7 percent. The national pass rate was 91.2 percent. For the practical nursing exam, South Carolina’s 651 exam takers achieved a 97.1 percent pass rate, nine percent above the national pass rate of 88.4 percent. A passing score on the NCLEX is required for nursing graduates to be licensed to practice in the United States. “Right now, our state and the entire nation are facing a critical shortage of qualified nurses,” said Dr. Jeff Perez, President and Executive Director of the South Carolina Commission on Higher Education. “South Carolina’s impressive NCLEX pass rate is a testament to the excellence of our higher education institutions in preparing future nurses, as well as the unwavering commitment of our students to meet the rigorous demands of the profession.” Sallie Beth Todd, Chair of the South Carolina Board of Nursing, praised the dedication of nurse educators who play a pivotal role in the graduates’ success. “This accomplishment would not have been possible without your unwavering dedication, hard work, passion, and commitment to excellence.” Emily Farr, Director of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, echoed Todd’s sentiments and said she hopes these graduates will choose careers in the state. “South Carolina offers job opportunities across a diverse range of healthcare practice settings. I am hopeful this talented group of graduates will choose to remain in our state and contribute to the health and well-being of its citizens,” Farr said. The following institutions distinguished themselves with a 100 percent pass rate for the RN exam:
The following institutions also exceeded a 90 percent pass rate on the RN exam:
For the PN exam, the following institutions achieved a 100 percent pass rate:
It is also noteworthy that all South Carolina institutions preparing students for the PN exam scored pass rates of 90 percent or higher. The complete breakdown of rates by institution is available at: https://llr.sc.gov/nurse/stats.aspx The CHE is actively involved in initiatives to address the nursing shortage in South Carolina. Beginning after the 2022 legislative session, the South Carolina General Assembly allocated a total of $10 million to the CHE for a Nursing Initiative to enhance the recruitment and retention of nursing faculty at colleges and universities. This funding continued in 2023 and 2024 and is disbursed in two ways:
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