Accreditation & Program Outcomes

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 (calendar year).

Western		Wyoming	National
2024	91.4%	94.79%	91.16%
2023	97%	94.53%	88.56%
2022	91%	82.5%	79.9%
2021	83%	83%	83%

 

 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	Distance Synchronous Online Theory
2024	91.4%  N=35	95% N=21	85.7% N=14
2023	97% N=36	100% N=20	94% N=16
2022	91% N = 32 *One tester from 2021 cohort	83% N=12	95% N=19 *One tester from 2021 cohort

 

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

	All Student	Face-to-Face	Synchronous Online Theory
2022-2024	N=35/39 89.7%	N=21/24 87.5%	N=14/16 87.5%
2021-2023	N=34/39  87%	N=21/24  87.5%	N=13/15 86.6%
2020-2022	N= 31/40 77.5%	12/16 75%	19/24 79%

 

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

2024 Graduate Survey (2023 Graduates) N=18  48.6% Response Rate
Benchmark >3.5	All	Face-to-Face (N=8)	Synchronous Online Theory (N=10)
Safety	4.44	4.43	4.4.44
Clinical Judgment	4.37	4.29	4.44
Leadership	4.44	4.43	4.44
Patient Centeredness	4.51	4.57	4.44
Professionalism	4.51	4.57	4.44
Health Promotion	4.44	4.43	4.44

 

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

2024 Employer Survey (2023 Graduates) N=15   60% Response Rate
Benchmark > 3.5	All
Safety	4.44
Clinical Judgment	3.93
Leadership	3.87
Patient Centeredness	4.00
Professionalism	4.13
Health Promotion	4.07

 

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.

Year	Graduates	Survey Response Rate	Employed as reported by survey	Faculty able to confirm employment in rural area
2024	37	48.6%	100%	32/37 86.4%
2023	31	19.4%	100%	18/31 58%
2022	35	41.7%	100%	26/29 89.6%

 

Licensed graduates working as an RN in Wyoming 8 months after graduation.

Licensed Graduates	Wyoming	Out of state	Unknown
2024 N= 35	32	3	0
2023 N=36	30	2	4
2022 N=31	29	2	0

 

 End-of-program Student Learning Outcomes and Program Outcomes

Component	Assessment Method(s)*	Expected Level(s) of Achievement	Results of Data Collection (2024 cohort)
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	91.6% of students received a 3 or above on MOC Eval. (N=36)
	NURS 2400 ATI Comprehensive Predictor- RN	Group score at or above individual national average on  Safety and Infection Control	ATI Predictor Safety and Infection Control: Group Score 62.3% (N=36), 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 for Management of Care	Management of care Group score 81.8% (N=36) Individual national mean: 76.3%
	NURS 2400 Capstone Active Day Rubric	80% of students will receive 75% or above on Capstone AD part two rubric.	100% of students received a 75% or above on Capstone Active Day Part Two Rubric (N=36)
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=36)
	Mountain Measurement Results	Group Score at or above 0 logit  on Management of Care	Mountain Measurement  Management of Care: Group score 0.20 logits  (N=36).
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 Psychosocial Integrity	ATI Predictor  Psychosocial Integrity Program:  Group score 78.4% (N=36); National group mean 70.7%
	Mountain Measurement Results	Group score at or above 0 logit on  Basic Care and Comfort	Mountain Measurement Basic Care and Comfort:  Group  score 0.11 logits (N=36).
EPSLO #5: Professionalism Practice within the core values, principles, and standards of the nursing profession.	NURS 2400 Management of Care (MOC) Rubric Results	80% of students will achieve an instructor rating of 3 or higher in Professionalism on the Management of Care Final Clinical Evaluation Tool	88.8% of students achieved an instructor rating at 3 or above on Clinical Evaluation Tool (N=36)
	NURS 2400 Capstone Clinical Feedback Tool Category of Professionalism, shift four	80% of students will achieve a preceptor rating of 3 or higher in  Professionalism on the NURS 2400 Capstone Clinical Feedback Tool for shift four.	100% of students achieved a preceptor rating of 3 or higher in  Professionalism on the NURS 2400 Capstone Clinical Feedback Tool for shift four. (N=36)
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 Health Promotion and Maintenance	ATI Predictor Health Promotion and Maintenance: Group score 67.9% (N=36): National group mean 66.6%
	Mountain Measurement Results	Group score at or above 0 logit on  Health Promotion and Maintenance	Mountain Measurement Health Promotion and Maintenance: Group Score 0.12 logits (N=36)
Exam Pass Rate+ NCLEX Certifications	NCLEX Scores	Licensure examination pass rate will be at or above 80% for all first-time test takers during same 12 month period	2023: All Students:NCLEX Pass Rates 2023: 97  (N=36) May 2023 Graduation Cohort: 97%. Ultimate pass rate 100% Face to Face: 100% (N=20) Distance: 94% (N=16)