The 2021 Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing graduates attend a medical conference in Memphis, Tennessee prior to quarantine.

POINT LOOKOUT, MO. — The Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing (AMSON) at College of the Ozarks recently ranked as a Top Five nursing program in Missouri by RegisteredNursing.org.

In February 2021, RegisteredNursing.org released their fifth annual RN Programs Rankings – 2021 Edition, placing College of the Ozarks as one of the top nursing programs in Missouri. Initiated in 2017, the ranking system categorizes the nation’s college nursing programs based on the results of The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN exam), a post-graduation screening test which ensures nursing graduates are prepared for an entry-level nursing position. The ranking considers additional program features such as tuition cost, average program length, geographical coverage, and other measurable factors.

Despite a global pandemic, the College of the Ozarks nursing graduates of 2020 scored a first-time pass rate of 100 percent, exceeding the national average of 83.73 percent. Throughout the summer of 2020, nursing faculty provided the seniors with exceptional preparation by meeting with each student virtually to develop study methods.

“We are very proud of our students,” said Janice Williams, nursing program director. “For three years running, we’ve had very high pass rates on the NCLEX-RN exam.”

Williams expressed her appreciation for her team’s dedication to the students throughout quarantine.

“During April, as students were preparing to graduate, faculty spent time weekly, one-on-one on a virtual platform, with each of the 20 students to coach them through an individual study plan,” Williams said.

To view the 2021 rankings, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/state/missouri/#rankings

More about The Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing

Founded in 2006, The Armstrong McDonald School of Nursing seeks to provide students with effective training while pursuing their mission statement: “To present a Christ-centered, biblically-based, character-driven nursing education program, while preparing qualified individuals for a spiritual role as a professional nurse, providing service to Christ and humankind.”

The program has achieved outstanding results since its inception — earning consistently high scores on the NCLEX-RN exam, achieving a 100 percent satisfaction rate among employers, and 100 percent job placement for graduates, often prior to graduation.

Alumni consistently rate the nursing faculty as the top reason for their success. The staff engage in a one-on-one preceptorship with the students to familiarize them with a typical patient caseload, study for the NCLEX-RN exam, and prepare for post-graduation responsibilities.

For additional information about the College of the Ozarks nursing program, visit https://www.cofo.edu/Nursing

More about RegisteredNursing.org

Founded in 2016, RegisteredNursing.org consists of registered nurses who care deeply for the nursing profession, seeking to provide future nurses with the resources to succeed. They are firm believers in providing students with all the information possible to make the right choice when selecting a nursing school. They strive to provide transparency through studying nursing programs and their students’ performance on the NCLEX-RN exam.

For more about RegisteredNursing.org, visit https://www.registerednursing.org/about-us/