Congratulations are in order for the 14 graduates of Bowie State University‘s December 2025 Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) class, who achieved a 100% first-time pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN).
According to a university news release, the achievement places Bowie State, Maryland’s first Historically Black College and University (HBCU), among Maryland’s top-performing nursing programs — reflecting the preparedness of its graduates to meet the demands of today’s healthcare environment.
“This result reflects the rigor of our program and the unwavering commitment of our faculty to student success,” said Dr. Monique Alston, associate professor and chair of the nursing department. “Our graduates leave Bowie State with the knowledge, clinical experience, and confidence needed to succeed as professional nurses from the outset.”
Bowie State’s nursing program integrates classroom learning, clinical experience, and simulation-based training to develop both technical skills and critical thinking, the news release states. It also prioritizes reducing healthcare disparities and improving patient outcomes through culturally competent care, leadership development, and service.
Program graduates are entering key roles in hospitals, clinics, and community health organizations, where they are helping broaden access to care, strengthen regional healthcare systems, and support a more sustainable healthcare workforce.
“Bowie State’s nursing program challenged us to think critically while supporting our growth academically and personally,” said Joshua Desvignes ’25, a BSN graduate and nurse at The Johns Hopkins Hospital. “Through hands-on clinical experiences and faculty invested in our success, we were fully prepared for the NCLEX. Passing the NCLEX on the first attempt reflects the strong preparation and academic foundation we received at Bowie State.”
Bowie State Expands Efforts To Advance Nurse Educators Across Maryland
The NCLEX milestone follows Bowie State receiving a $2.2 million grant from the Maryland Department of Nursing in July 2025, administered through the Maryland Higher Education Commission. As AFROTECH™ previously reported, the award — the largest the department has received to date — is designed to increase the number of nurse educators across the state.
The funding will support 20 Ph.D. students over four years, with the broader goal of strengthening the nursing workforce by expanding the pipeline of qualified nurse educators statewide.
Workforce data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects approximately 189,100 job openings for registered nurses annually from 2024 to 2034, driven by retirements and workforce turnover.
“Nationwide, there is a shortage of nurse educators, which restricts the ability of nursing schools to enroll and graduate sufficient professional nurses to meet the growing demands of our healthcare system,” said Dr. Jacqueline Hill, Bowie State’s former nursing department chair.
“MHEC’s grant is nothing short of a game changer for Bowie State’s department of nursing. With an increase in Ph.D. nursing faculty, we will be able to prepare more nurses to expand the workforce in a field that is in dire need of highly qualified healthcare clinicians,” Hill added.
