HPU Nursing School Achieves Full Approval
Pictured from left are Dr. Racquel Ingram, founding dean, in a simulation skills lab with Class of 2024 nursing alumnae Piper Dillon and Kellie Brewer and Dr. Rachel Phelps, assistant professor of nursing and the director of simulation.
HIGH POINT, N.C., June 25, 2024 – High Point University’s Teresa B. Caine School of Nursing achieved full approval for its Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program from the North Carolina Board of Nursing (NCBON) after graduating its first class of students. The inaugural nursing cohort earned a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX, the national licensing exam for registered nurses.
“We are thrilled to share that our BSN program has received full approval,” said Dr. Racquel Ingram, the School of Nursing’s founding dean. “This milestone reflects the exceptional expertise and tireless commitment of our nursing faculty, as well as the entire nursing team’s daily dedication to ensuring our graduates’ outstanding preparation and success.”
The NCBON reviewed and approved a recommendation for the HPU nursing program at its May 23 meeting in Raleigh, North Carolina. The NCBON completed an on-site survey during the final term of curriculum implementation.
“HPU nursing graduates are prepared as competent, safety-oriented leaders poised to deliver exceptional patient-centered care,” Ingram said. “Our comprehensive curriculum emphasizes illness prevention, health promotion and community engagement throughout the lifespan for diverse communities and populations. This approach equips our graduates to make significant impacts in interdisciplinary or collaborative health care settings across various contexts. Our graduates have simultaneously demonstrated exceptional dedication and perseverance, culminating in an 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate.”
As the first nursing graduates of HPU’s BSN program, Kellie Brewer secured a nursing residency at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist High Point Medical Center and Piper Dillon has begun a critical care nursing residency at Novant Health. Both graduates credit HPU for giving them the exposure, experience and opportunities they needed to meet their goals. They said the small class sizes, unmatched mentorship and consistent support are responsible for their success.
The HPU Difference
“Prior to transferring to HPU, I attended a larger college where this level of individualized attention was lacking. The hands-on, personalized approach at HPU has made a significant difference in my educational experience, confirming that it was the right choice for me,” said Brewer.
Similarly, Dillon said, “HPU is filled with professors who love what they teach and want to see you succeed. The small class sizes and support from my professors gave me the perfect environment to grow into a confident student and leader. I’ve gained invaluable public speaking, interviewing and networking skills from immersive experiences I wouldn’t have gotten anywhere else.”
The NCBON will review nursing programs with full approval status every 10 years.