All 26 recent graduates from Bemidji State University’s nursing program who attempted the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) for registered nurses this spring earned a passing score on their first attempt.

BSU was one of two universities in Minnesota with a 100% pass rate for the year’s second quarter, with the other seeing each of its eight graduates pass the test on their first attempt.

“This accomplishment reflects the hard work and dedication of our students, the expertise of our faculty and the invaluable support of clinical partners,” Nicholle Bieberdorf, BSU’s senior nursing administrator, said. “Combined with our consistently strong outcomes over the past five years, these results demonstrate our ongoing commitment to preparing practice-ready nurses who will provide exceptional care to the communities they serve.”

The NCLEX-RN exam is a national standardized test that every state regulatory board uses to determine a candidate’s readiness for professional nursing practice in the United States. The exam assesses clinical judgment and decision-making through a variety of test item types and uses real-world case studies to measure a nurse’s ability to think critically and make correct decisions.

In the past five years combined, nearly 95% of BSU’s baccalaureate nursing graduates have passed the NCLEX on their first attempt. This is significantly higher than the statewide average of 86.3% and the national average of 88.4%.

“A strong NCLEX pass rate represents more than exam success; it demonstrates that our graduates are prepared to think critically, make sound clinical decisions and provide safe, compassionate care from their very first day as registered nurses,” Bieberdorf said.

BSU expects its final four spring 2026 nursing graduates to take the NCLEX during the third quarter, between July and September of this year.

Learn more about nursing at Bemidji State University, then schedule a campus tour.