Green River Community College’s practical nursing graduates achieved the nation’s highest passing rate of the National Council Licensing Exam for the second year in a row.

Data released by NCLEX showed Green River ranked no. 1 out of 1,348 nursing programs nationwide in this year’s examination. The program also ranked first over all 20 programs in the Washington state jurisdiction.

In 2012, Green River students ranked no. 1 out of 1,366 programs nationwide and ranked first place out of 21 programs in the Washington state jurisdiction.

“I am proud to be a part of this faculty who has consistently produced quality practical nurses for our community over the past three years,” said Mariena Mears, Green River Nursing Program Director. “Our NCLEX passage rate is just one of the indicators of our student success.”

Graduates of all Practical and RN programs in the United States must pass the NCLEX exam to become a registered nurse. NCLEX releases passing rate data annually, and if more than one program has the same passing rate, all are assigned the same ranking.

Green River practical nursing students are among the very best in the state and the nation. For the third consecutive year, Green River students maintained a perfect pass rate on the NCLEX, where 100 percent of the graduating class passed the examination on their first attempt.