Practical Nursing (LPN) Program Evaluation

What is program evaluation & why is it important?

Jamestown Community College evaluates how well its Practical Nursing certificate program prepares students for the NCLEX-PN and for practice as licensed practical nurses. Measures may include licensure exam results, graduate and employer surveys, and graduate employment rates.

Faculty use these findings to identify the program’s strengths and areas for improvement. Sharing program outcomes also helps prospective students, families, employers, and community members learn about the program.

If you have questions about the information on this page, call 716.338.1170 or contact the Nursing department faculty.

Evaluation measures

NCLEX-PN Results

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing develops the NCLEX-PN, the national licensure examination for practical nurses. Graduates of practical nursing programs take the exam as part of the process of becoming licensed practical nurses. The NCLEX-PN assesses the knowledge and clinical judgment needed for safe, entry-level practice.
First-time NCLEX-PN pass rates are one measure of how well a program prepares its graduates.

Because JCC’s Practical Nursing certificate program is new, several years of pass rate data are not yet available. The following results show the percentage of JCC graduates who passed the NCLEX-PN on their first attempt within one year of graduation:

NCLEX-PN first-time pass rates for JCC Practical Nursing graduates:

  • Class of 2026 (Spring): 100%
  • Class of 2026 (Summer): awaiting results
Graduate Satisfaction

Evaluating how graduates rate their knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter practice as a practical nurse is another important measure of program quality. Graduates are surveyed six to twelve months after graduation using the six program outcomes, along with other qualitative questions. The rating scale ranges from 5 (highly satisfied) to 1 (highly unsatisfied).

Because JCC’s Practical Nursing certificate program is new, data is not yet available.

Employer Satisfaction

Evaluating how employers rate graduates' knowledge, skills, and abilities to enter practice is important. Employer satisfaction is another quality measure of the program’s ability to prepare graduates for entry-level nursing practice. Employers are surveyed six to twelve months following graduation utilizing the same six program outcomes as the graduate survey. The rating scale ranges from 5 (highly satisfied) to 1 (highly unsatisfied).

Because JCC’s Practical Nursing certificate program is new, data is not yet available.

On-time Program Completion Rate

On-time completion refers to how many students finish the program within the expected 2 semesters without delays. It measures students' success in finishing their coursework and clinical training within the standard time frame, which is designed to prepare them for licensing and careers in nursing. Students leave the nursing program for various reasons (i.e., life events, poor grades, and/or an alternate career path).

Because JCC’s Practical Nursing certificate program is new, data is not yet available.

Employment

Following graduation, the program tracks students to see how many successfully gain employment as a licensed practical nurse. Data is collected via a survey six to twelve months after graduation.

Because JCC’s Practical Nursing certificate program is new, data is not yet available.