Longwood nursing students once again achieved a 100 percent first-time NCLEX pass rate, extending a remarkable five-year streak of cohorts passing the first time they take the test. Over the past 12 years, nine Longwood nursing cohorts have achieved a perfect first-time pass rate—a distinction few four-year nursing programs can match.
The NCLEX is the initial licensure exam that all professional nurses must pass.
Dr. Kim Little, professor and chair of the nursing department
“This 100 percent NCLEX pass rate is a tremendous achievement and a reflection of the hard work, dedication and perseverance our students demonstrate throughout their nursing education,” said Dr. Kim Little, professor and chair of the nursing department. “Our students have worked incredibly hard to reach this milestone, and their success on this high-stakes exam demonstrates that they are well prepared to enter the nursing profession. I couldn’t be prouder of our students or of the faculty who support and prepare them every step of the way.”
Longwood Nursing is among the top programs in Virginia, and across the country. The program is ranked #2 in Virginia by RegisteredNursing.org, which noted Longwood's exceptional 99.32 percent average NCLEX pass rate, and continues to be ranked in the top 10 Best 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.
Jason “Ferg” Ferguson, M.S. ’12, dean of admissions
“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. Last 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,” 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 and approved by the Virginia Board of Nursing.