The nursing program at Warren County Community College offers the best associate degree training in the state based on student scores on rigorous national testing over eight years, according to a national body that compiles the data.
The Nursing School Almanac ranks colleges based on a compilation of student scores on the National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN), calculating a 92.1 percent pass rate for Warren students taking the test for the first time.
“We are incredibly proud that Warren County Community College was ranked first for first-time pass rates on the NCLEX-RN, which is the gold standard benchmark for nursing program effectiveness,” said Marianne Van Deursen, Ed.D., provost/vice president of academics at Warren. “For a small, rural community college, this distinction speaks volumes about the quality of our faculty, the strength of our clinical partnerships, and the commitment of our students,” she said.
She noted that the 2025 graduates “continued the tradition of excellence” with a 91percent first-time pass rate and said that given the strength and stability of the program, she expects the 18 graduates this year and 19 in the freshman cohort will also be successful on the exam and find rewarding positions in healthcare. Lashanda Arrington is director of the program.
“At a time when healthcare workforce shortages are affecting hospitals and long-term care facilities throughout New Jersey, we are proud to be preparing competent, compassionate registered nurses who are ready to serve our region from day one,” she said. “Our ranking validates what our local healthcare partners already know: Warren County Community College delivers nursing education of exceptional quality.”
The Nursing School Almanac in its 2024 review reported that student performance on the NCLEX-RN exam “provides an excellent benchmark for comparing the relative quality of associate’s degree programs”.
Warren President Will Austin said the college has made strides in a number of areas, but the nursing program has consistently been a source of pride.
“Data like this ranking and the feedback we receive from the healthcare facilities where our students get experience and find careers shows us just how good this program is,” he said. “But we also hear it from our graduates, including those working in the field who appreciate the preparation they received here.”
“Our students are lucky to be involved in a rigorous, well-conceived, thorough program of study led by such a dedicated and experienced staff.”
The students at only one other New Jersey college providing an associate degree in nursing recorded over a 90 percent average score on the NCLEX-RN over the eight-year period. The scores ranged from the 92.1 percent recorded by Warren to a low of about 40 percent.
Students of a variety of ages and background join the program and go on a variety of healthcare careers, ranging from positions as technicians in clinics and medical offices to members of nursing staffs at the largest and most sophisticated hospitals in the state.
Students who are interested in additional information should contact Student Services and speak with an advisor: 908-835-2310.
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