Perfection. There aren’t too many things in this world that can lay claim to it.
But at the Technical College of the Lowcountry, several health sciences programs — radiologic technology, nursing, massage therapy and physical therapist assistant – have achieved a 100 percent pass rate on their licensing exams.
“We are so proud of our students who have worked so hard to achieve their goals,” vice president for academic affairs Dr. Gina Mounfield said. “Plus, this is the ultimate recognition of our faculty’s dedication to delivering an exceptional educational experience.”
Health sciences division dean Marge Sapp added, “TCL’s health sciences programs, all of which are nationally accredited, are vigorous and demanding but produce extremely qualified and successful graduates. This is exactly why they are so highly sought after by health care employers here and across the country.”
The TCL radiologic technology associate degree program recently announced that all 2011 graduates passed the American Registry of Radiologic Technologists certification examination, making it the seventh consecutive year the program has seen a 100 percent pass rate by students on their first attempt.
“We combine both classroom and clinical education to offer the best experience for our students,” said radiologic technology program director John Eichinger.
The program’s clinical coordinator Glenn Levicki added, “TCL’s rad-tech program is also supported by an active, hands-on advisory committee,” he said. “They, as well as the student commitment, are credited with much of the program’s success.”
TCL’s associate degree in nursing (ADN) program is also producing perfect pass rates. Of the 25 ADN May 2011 graduates, 19 took the National Council for Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and passed the examination on their first attempt yielding a pass rate of 100 percent. This is well above the national average of 90 percent and is the third semester in a row that the program has achieved a perfect pass rate.
“Our students excel in the learning environment TCL offers,” TCL nursing director Sharon Beasley said. “Students are able to take advantage of the high-tech simulation labs right on our campus to one-on-one classroom time to real-world practice at clinical sites throughout the Lowcountry.”
Mounfield echoed the importance of the multiple clinical sites and health care partners located across Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton and Colleton counties.
“We owe a big thank you to all the clinical sites in our four-county service area which help to make our health sciences programs so successful,” Mounfield said.
In addition, the massage therapy certificate program, which is the only massage therapy program in South Carolina to be accredited by the Commission on Massage Therapy Accreditation, has also announced a perfect pass rate for this year’s class.
“We are extremely excited about this accomplishment,” said TCL massage therapy director Denise Van Nostran. “This exemplifies our level of dedication to offering excellence in massage therapy education.”
May 2011 graduates of the physical therapist assistant (PTA) associate degree program, one of TCL’s newest health sciences programs, have also achieved a perfect pass rate on their licensing exam, the National Physical Therapy Examination.
PTA program director Cindy Buchanan is thrilled with this year’s results. “I am so proud of our students and all of our health sciences programs. This achievement means so much to the students, faculty and the college,” she said.
TCL also offers a surgical technology diploma program, which announced that its class of 2011 had an 80 percent pass rate on the national certification exam.
