Accreditation & Program Outcomes

ACEN Seal

Western's Nursing Program is accredited by Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).  Programs accredited by ACEN voluntarily meet rigorous educational standards which are verified through a peer review process.  Not all programs of nursing in the United States chose to pursue accreditation.

Western's Nursing Program is also approved by the Wyoming State Board of Nursing (WSBN).  The WSBN ensures that the nursing curriculum and content delivery meet professional and quality standards.

End of Program Student Outcomes

Both ACEN and the WSBN require stringent monitoring of student outcomes.  Listed below are the various metrics used to assess the success of the program and its graduates.

Western NCLEX First-time Pass Rates Compared to National Average 
Western Benchmark: Exam pass rates will be at least 80% for all first time test takers during the same 12 month period.

Western     Wyoming National
2022 91% 82.5% 79.9%
2021 83% 83% 83%
2020 94.12% 83% 82.8%
Pass Rates reported by Calendar year 

 

 NCLEX First-time Pass Rates by Year/Cohort/Delivery Type
Western Benchmark: Exam pass rates will be at least 80% for all first time test takers during the same 12 month period.

May Cohort All Students Face-to-face Theory Synchronous Online Theory Advanced Placement

2022

 

91%

N = 32

*One tester from 2021 cohort

83%

N=12

 

 

95%

N=19

*One tester from 2021 cohort

NA

2021

83%

N=35

85%

N=17

80%

N=12

100% 

N=1

2020

94.12%
N=34

95.6% N=23  90.9% N=11  N=0 
Re-entry students calculated in actuals.

 

Nursing Program Completion Rates
2021 Western Benchmark: 70% of students will complete program in four semesters (on time completion).

2020 Western Benchmark: 70% students will complete program in 150% of time.

  All Student Face-to-Face Synchronous Online Theory Advanced Placement
2020-2022

N= 31/40

77.5%

12/16

75%

19/24

79%

0/1

0%

2019-2021

N=34/30

85%

N=21/24

87.5%

N=12/16

75%

NA

 

Western Graduate Satisfaction Survey Results
Western Benchmark: Average student response will be a rating greater than or equal to 3.5 on a 5-point Likert Scale

2023 Graduate Survey (2022 Graduates)
N=15  41% Response Rate

Benchmark >3.5

 

All Face-to-Face (N=8) Synchronous Online Theory (N=8)
Safety 4.6 4.88 4.63
Clinical Judgment 4.6  4.75 4.38
Leadership 4.5  4.75  4.25
Patient Centeredness 4.6 4.88 4.38 
Professionalism 4.75 4.88  4.63
Health Promotion 4.6  4.75 4.5 
Prepared to be a Beginning Competent Nurse 4.75 4.88 4.63

 

Service Area Employer Satisfaction Survey Results
Western Benchmark: Average employer response will be a rating greater than or equal to 3.5 on a 5-point Likert scale

2023 Employer Survey (2022 Graduates)
N=9   56.3 Response Rate

Benchmark > 3.5 All
Safety 4.44
Clinical Judgment 4.22 
Leadership 4.11 
Patient Centeredness 4.44 
Professionalism 4.44
Health Promotion 4.33
Prepared to be a Beginning Competent Nurse 4.44

 

Number of Recent Graduates Employed in Nursing Field      

Western Benchmark: 85% of graduates are employed in the field of nursing if they desire, 8 months post-graduation.

  Acute Care Mental Health Long Term Care Home Health or Hospice School

Clinic/Office

Other

2022

N=18

16

89%

2

11%

0

0

0

0

0

2021

N=18

5

13.9%

1

7%

1

7%

1

7%

0

1

7%

6

40%

2020 N=32 18 56%

1

3%

8

25%

0 0

5

16%

 

 

 End-of-program Student Learning Outcomes and Program Outcomes

 Component  

Assessment Method(s)*

 Expected Level(s) of Achievement  

Results of Data Collection

(2022)

 

EPSLO #1: Safety

Provide safe nursing care within the healthcare system. 
NURS 2400 Management of Care Clinical Evaluation Tool- Safety Section 80% of students will receive Instructor Rating at 2 or above

80.6% of students received a 3 or above on MOC Eval. (N=31)

 

NURS 2400 ATI Comprehensive Predictor- RN Group score at or above national average on the ATI RN Comprehensive  predictor for Safety and Infection Control ATI Predictor Safety and Infection Control: Group Score 70.4% (N=31), Individual national mean 74.5%.
 

EPSLO #2:Clinical Judgment

Incorporate prior knowledge, current research, and clinical experience in decision-making. 
 

NURS 2400 ATI Comprehensive Predictor-RN

Group score at or above individual national mean on Mountain Measurement for Management of Care 

Measurement changed from 68% to at or above national means for 2023. 

Management of care Group score 74.4 (N=31) Individual national mean: 76.3%

Employer Survey Results Rating >3.5/5 on 5 point Likert scale on Employer Survey Clinical Judgment Question

Employer Survey Clinical Judgment Rating 4.22/5 (N=9)

 

EPSLO #3: Leadership

Demonstrate leadership skills as part of an interprofessional team to promote desired outcomes. 
 

NURS 2400 Poster Presentation

80% of students will receive 75% or above on graded assignment 100% of students achieved at or above 75% on graded assignment (N=31)
Mountain Measurement Results Group Score at or above passing level on Mountain Measurement Management of Care  Mountain Measurement  Management of Care: Group score 59% (N=31); passing score 50%
 

EPSLO #4: Patient Centeredness

Use effective communication and advocacy to provide individualized care. 
 

NURS 2400 ATI Comprehensive Predictor

Program group score at or above national group mean on ATI RN Comprehensive  predictor  Psychosocial Integrity ATI Predictor  Psychosocial Integrity

Program:  Group score 70% (N=31); National group mean 70.7%

Mountain Measurement Results Group score at or above passing level  on Mountain Measurement Basic Care and Comfort Mountain Measurement Basic Care and Comfort:  Group  score 58 (N=31). Passing score 50%
 

EPSLO #5: Professionalism

Practice within the core values, principles, and standards of the nursing profession.
 

NURS 2400 Management of Care (MOC) Rubric Results

89% of students received an instructor rating of 3 or higher on Management of Care Final Clinical Evaluation Tool 96% of students achieved an instructor rating at 3 or above on Clinical Evaluation Tool (N=31)
Employer Survey Results Rating >3.5/5 on 5 point Likert scale for professionalism question Employer Survey Results: 4.44/5 (N=9)

EPSLO #6: Health Promotion

Utilize the nursing process and a broad knowledge base to maximize health.

NURS 2400 ATI Comprehensive Predictor-RN

Program group score at or above national group mean on the ATI RN Comprehensive predictor Health Promotion and Maintenance

ATI Predictor Health Promotion and Maintenance: Group score 72.8% (N=31): National group mean 66.6%

Mountain Measurement Results Group score at or above passing level on  Mountain Measurement Health Promotion and Maintenance

Mountain Measurement Health Promotion and Maintenance: Group Score 52% (N=31); Passing Level 49%

Exam Pass Rate+

NCLEX

Certifications
NCLEX Scores Licensure examination pass rate will be at least 80% for all first-time test takers during same 12 month period

2022:

All Students:NCLEX Pass Rates

2022: 90.6%  (N=32)

May 2022 Graduation Cohort: 93.5%

Face to Face: 83.3% (N=12)

Distance: 100% (N=19)

 

 

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