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.
| Western | Wyoming | National | |
| 2023 | 97% | 94.53% | 88.56% |
| 2022 | 91% | 82.5% | 79.9% |
| 2021 | 83% | 83% | 83% |
| 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 |
|
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 |
| 2021 |
83% N=35 |
85% N=17 |
80% N=12 |
| 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 | |
| 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% |
| 2019-2021 |
N=34/30 85% |
N=21/24 87.5% |
N=12/16 75% |
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) |
|||
|
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
| 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 |
| Prepared to be a Beginning Competent Nurse | 3.80 |
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 |
|
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 (2023) |
|
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 |
97.2% of students received a 3 or above on MOC Eval. (N=37)
|
| 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 71.2% (N=37), Individual national mean 71.2%. | |
|
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 86.3% (N=37) Individual national mean: 76.3% |
| Employer Survey Results | Rating >3.5/5 on 5 point Likert scale on Clinical Judgment Question |
Employer Survey Clinical Judgment Rating 3.93/5 (N=18) |
|
|
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=37) |
| Mountain Measurement Results |
Group Score at or above 0 logit on Management of Care catagory |
Mountain Measurement Management of Care: Group score 0.31 logits (N=37). | |
|
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 66.7% (N=37); National group mean 70.7% |
| Mountain Measurement Results | Group score at or above 0 logit on Basic Care and Comfort catagory | Mountain Measurement Basic Care and Comfort: Group score 0.08 logits (N=37). | |
|
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 | 100% of students achieved an instructor rating at 3 or above on Clinical Evaluation Tool (N=37) |
| Employer Survey Results | Rating >3.5/5 on 5 point Likert scale for professionalism question | Employer Survey Results: 4.13/5 (N=15) | |
|
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 69.5% (N=37): National group mean 66.6% |
| Mountain Measurement Results | Group score at or above 0 logit on Health Promotion and Maintenance catagory |
Mountain Measurement Health Promotion and Maintenance: Group Score 0.29 logits (N=37) |
|
|
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)
|