Graduates of East Central College’s 2025 Practical Nursing program in Rolla pose during their July graduation ceremony. Six graduates stand in the back row, and seven people sit in the front row, including faculty members Michelle Chick and Jessica Fisher. All are smiling and dressed in semi-formal attire, celebrating their accomplishments.

ECC Practical Nursing Grads Earn Perfect Pass Rate — For Third Straight Year

October 15, 2025 | Campus News ECC Rolla

East Central College’s Practical Nursing program in Rolla achieved a 100 percent pass rate on the 2025 NCLEX-PN, marking the third consecutive year of perfect results.

All 12 graduates passed the licensure exam and exceeded both state and national averages, continuing ECC’s strong record of excellence in nursing education.

This year’s class follows the equally impressive performance of the 2023 and 2024 cohorts, both of which also earned 100 percent pass rates.

Program, Purpose and Performance

The National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nurses, or NCLEX-PN, is the standardized exam all practical nursing graduates must pass to become licensed practical nurses. Success on the exam demonstrates that graduates possess the knowledge, clinical skill and judgment necessary to provide safe and effective patient care in a variety of health care settings.

“The success of the 2025 graduates speaks to their hard work, determination and the strong academic support they received,” said Michelle Chick, program director for practical nursing. “Many of these students balanced demanding schedules, work and family responsibilities while completing their studies. The nursing faculty and I are proud of each graduate, and we look forward to seeing the difference they make in our region.”

Comparative Benchmarks

Missouri’s average first-time NCLEX-PN pass rate for the first half of 2025 was 93.64 percent, while the national average was 86.36 percent. ECC’s Practical Nursing graduates have now surpassed those benchmarks three years in a row, underscoring the program’s consistency and quality.

2025 Graduates

The 2025 Practical Nursing graduates are Alexander Thill, Chase Ray, Theresa Skaggs, Mackenzie Garner, Lydia Magner, Geraldine Anabi, Abagail Richardson, Haleigh Ray, Haley Breen, Sierra Haley, Jessica Romaker and Seun Jimoh.

Program Overview

ECC’s Practical Nursing program is a three-semester, 11-month course that combines classroom instruction with hands-on clinical training. Graduates earn a certificate of completion and become eligible to sit for the NCLEX-PN exam.

Since ECC assumed sponsorship of the Rolla Practical Nursing program in October 2021, the college has continued to strengthen the curriculum, expand clinical partnerships and enhance student support to ensure ongoing success in nursing education.

For more information about ECC’s Practical Nursing program, visit the Practical Nursing webpage or contact Dr. Nancy Mitchell, dean of health sciences, at Nancy.Mitchell@eastcentral.edu or 636-584-6619.