All 2012 Graduates of APS Nursing Program Pass Boards on First Try

Second Year in a Row that All Students Get License Right after Graduating

Nursing Program Class of 2012

September 4, 2012

For the second year in a row and the third time in five years, all graduates of the Career Enrichment Center's Nursing Program passed the national licensing exam on the first try, allowing them to enter the workforce as licensed practical nurses (LPNs).

The 26 students took the National Council of State Boards of Nursing Examination for Practical Nurses this summer. The national pass rate for the test was 83 percent. This is the second year in a row that CEC’s pass rate is 100 percent.

CEC’s practical nursing program, under the direction of Jocelyn Amberg, educates students from throughout the district for a career in nursing. The rigorous, two-year program involves collegiate-level class work that helps prepare students to take the national licensing exam.

“The success of the nursing program at CEC exemplifies some of the terrific programs Albuquerque Public Schools offers our students,” said APS Superintendent Winston Brooks. “Congratulations to the 26 graduates who are now nurses, their teacher Jocelyn Amberg and all those who support the program on a job well done.”

The practical nursing program started in 1981, with the first class graduating in 1983. The Class of 2012 was the nursing program’s 30th graduating class. Each year there are 150-200 applicants for the program. Currently, there are 50 junior nursing students and 28 senior nursing students in the program.

All graduates of the Class of 2012 are pursuing higher education.  Three-quarters of them are working as nurses while in school.