FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 20, 2012
Contact: Anika Mitchell Perkins
(662) 329-7124
aperkins@pa.muw.edu

Master’s degree nurse practitioner graduates have 100 percent pass rate on certification exam

COLUMBUS, Miss. – The excellent quality of Mississippi University for Women’s nursing program was reflected in test results from 24 master’s degree nurse practitioner graduates who recently took the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Exam.

MUW had a 100 percent pass rate and scored above the national means in all areas. The program’s average of 633 on the certification exam was above the national average of 592. MUW also scored above national means on all the subcomponents including assessment, diagnosis, planning and evaluation.

Dr. Sheila Adams, dean of MUW’s College of Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology, said, “This pass rate attests to the long-standing quality of MUW’s nursing programs. We have an established history of producing excellent graduates who are well respected in the workplace.” 

Dr. Johnnie Sue Cooper Wijewardane, graduate department chair of the MUW College of Nursing and assistant professor, said the test results were supportive that the information MUW Master of Science in Nursing family nurse practitioner students receive in their curriculum is structured to provide the information necessary to practice safely, effectively and according to the standards of care that nurse practitioners should provide.

“It further validates the work faculty do in the classroom as well as addressing ongoing changes made in the curriculum from year to year to keep up with national and state health care trends and changes.

“Results such as this show that nurse practitioner students who graduate from MUW receive excellent education and preparation for their careers as nurse practitioners. It also helps us to validate that MUW is attracting the best and brightest nurses who want to become nurse practitioners,” she added.

The purpose of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners National Certification Program is to provide a valid and reliable program for entry-level nurse practitioners to recognize their education, knowledge and professional expertise. The Academy Certification Program provides a process for validation of an advanced practice nurse’s qualification and knowledge for practice as a nurse practitioner. The AANP exam is offered year round at testing centers throughout the nation.

Wijewardane said the nurse practitioner students and faculty deserve the accolade for their hard work in both the classroom and clinical setting.