Exam Scores Tell Stories of Success for Pharmacy and Nursing

Before they can be licensed to practice, pharmacists who graduate from Wilkes take two exams, together known as the boards: the North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination (NAPLEX) and the Multistate Pharmacy Jurisprudence Examination (MPJE).

After earning their PharmD, 2024 grads achieved a 90.6% first-time pass rate for the MPJE and an 85.9% first-time pass rate for the NAPLEX, exceeding both state and national averages.

These numbers mean more than just bragging rights. They show potential students and future employers that Wilkes delivers top pharmacy professionals. “They’re a signal of the quality of pharmacists we put out there,” says Jon Ference PharmD ’03, dean of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy. “And they give our students a leg up in the applicant pool.”

They also tell a story of the Nesbitt School of Pharmacy’s commitment to evolve to better meet the needs of its students and the industry. In 2023, for the first time in 26 years, the pass rates fell below the national average. “We thought, ‘This is not who we are. We know we’re excellent,’” says Ference.

Nesbitt faculty, staff and students came together in a deliberate, strategic effort to create short, intermediate and long-term plans ranging from study sessions to curricular overhauls to address weaker performance areas on the boards. Efforts resulted in 12% MPJE and 14% NAPLEX increases in a year.

“It paid off for the Class of 2024,” says Ference. “I’m confident the Class of 2025 will have the same, if not more, success.”

The recently graduated Class of 2025 has already started showing signs of success. Those seeking a competitive post-grad residency have an 89% match rate, which is second in the state.

For those going directly into a career, they have a job placement rate exceeding 90%. “They’re walking across the stage at graduation with a contract in hand,” says Ference.

Students who graduated in 2024 from the accelerated bachelor’s degree in nursing (ABSN) program and the traditional bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) program achieved a 98.72% pass rate on the National Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN). The traditional BSN graduates achieved an impressive pass rate of 100%.

The NCLEX-RN exam, used nationwide and in Canada, measures entry-level nursing competence as part of the licensing process. The exam is continuously monitored and updated to keep pace with the rapidly evolving healthcare environment.

The Wilkes pass rate exceeds the national average of 93.35% for first-time, U.S.-educated test-takers as reported by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN).

Scores for nurses graduating in the Class of 2025 will be validated by the Pennsylvania state board and available for release in November.

“As we navigate a nationwide nursing shortage, it’s essential that our nurses are well-prepared to take the NCLEX and land a job in a healthcare setting where they’ll succeed,” said Deborah Zbegner, dean of the College of Health and Education. “Our program is centered around student success, while also addressing the challenges of the ever-changing landscape of this profession and industry. We pride ourselves on sending our graduates off into the workforce ready to take on the challenges and celebrate the successes of nursing.”