Black River Technical College’s (BRTC) Practical Nursing (PN) program has landed in the 100th percentile in Arkansas and the United States by achieving a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).
According to the National Council of State Boards of Nursing’s (NCSBN) official 2025-2026 program report, BRTC’s PN program ranked #1 out of 24 Arkansas programs and #1 out of 1,221 programs nationally among programs with at least 10 first-time test-takers. During this period, BRTC had 19 graduates take and pass the NCLEX-PN.
“This remarkable achievement is a reflection of the hard work, dedication, and passion of our exceptional nursing faculty,” Director of Nursing Joshlyn Anderson said. Anderson also said BRTC’s nursing faculty goes above and beyond to prepare the next generation of compassionate, competent nurses.
BRTC’s PN program also landed in the 100th percentile during NCSBN’s 2024-2025 reporting period. Following the same parameters, the program ranked #1 out of 22 Arkansas programs and #1 out of 1,168 programs nationally.
“This accomplishment is a direct reflection of our relentless pursuit of excellence in healthcare education at BRTC,” Dean of Nursing and Allied Health Jason Linam said. “This milestone is built on the dedication of our faculty, the rigor of our curriculum, and the unwavering commitment of our students.”
The National Council of State Boards of Nursing is a non-profit organization that aims to protect public health and safety by collaborating with nursing regulatory boards across the United States. NCSBN’s main functions are connecting state nursing boards, conducting research, supporting policy, and administering the NCLEX. To help nursing programs, NCSBN partnered with Mountain Measurement to provide the programs with valuable insights to their graduates’ performances on their licensure exams. These results are posted on Mountain Measurement’s website and then distributed by NCSBN. The Arkansas State Board of Nursing also distributes updates from these sources when applicable.
BRTC’s Practical Nursing program combines classroom instruction, simulated patient care, and clinical experience to prepare graduates for a successful career in nursing. After graduation, students are eligible to apply for the national examination (NCLEX-PN) administered by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, for licensure as a practical nurse. This is a technical certificate program that takes 10.5 months to complete. It is located on the Pocahontas campus and courses begin each fall.
For more information about BRTC’s Practical Nursing program, visit the PN program page on our website.
