Courant column highlights UConn nursing program troubles

Too many graduates of UConn’s School of Nursing are not passing the national nursing exam according to Kevin Rennie’s column in today’s Hartford Courant. Apparently the poor performance is not new this year, but is unique to UConn. Nursing graduates of Quinnipiac University, Western CT State University and St. Joseph’s College are easily passing benchmarks. UConn was placed on probation in 2004 when less than 80% of graduates passed their exams, and again came close to that level last year. The National Council of State Boards of Nursing commented that the exam “tests what nurses need to know to be safe and competent to practice.” Rennie points out that rapid technology advances are requiring more skills and knowledge from nurses. CT, along with most states, is facing a serious and growing shortage of nurses. For more on the nursing shortage, take the March CT Health Policy Web Quiz.
Ellen Andrews