Tennessee Tech University announced on Mar. 30 that its Whitson-Hester School of Nursing graduates achieved a 95% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) in 2025. This result matches Vanderbilt University and exceeds both the Tennessee average of 91% and the national average of 86.7%.
The strong performance highlights Tennessee Tech’s continued role in preparing new nurses for the workforce at a time when health care professionals are in high demand nationwide.
Kim Hanna, dean of the Whitson-Hester School of Nursing, said, “We are proud to see our graduates continue to perform at such a high level on the NCLEX. These results speak to the dedication of our students and the intentional preparation they receive from our faculty and staff. Under the leadership of our director, Barbara Jared, and our outstanding faculty, the School of Nursing remains focused on equipping students with the knowledge, skills and confidence they need to succeed and serve.”
In addition to high pass rates, Tennessee Tech graduated more nurses than several peer institutions in 2025; according to recently released data, 125 students took and passed the NCLEX—more than Austin Peay State University, Middle Tennessee State University or University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The university credits this success partly to its curriculum’s focus on licensure readiness through a dedicated NCLEX preparation course during students’ final semester as well as support services like a student assistance fund aimed at removing financial barriers.
Enrollment at Tech’s nursing school has reached its highest point in over ten years with 884 students as of fall 2025. Last year also saw additional milestones: NursePractitionerOnline.com ranked Tech’s online nurse practitioner program as number one in Tennessee; meanwhile, a $1.5 million federal grant was secured for expanding training for sexual assault nurse examiners.
Hanna added: “Everything we do is centered on preparing graduates who are ready to serve with competence and compassion… Our goal is to educate nurses who we would trust to care for our own families, and that standard continues to guide our work every day.”
Looking ahead, beginning this fall eligible incoming freshmen can enroll directly into the nursing major through a new direct admission pathway if they meet GPA and ACT requirements. These students will also qualify for scholarships up to $8,000 per year.
