Southside Virginia Community College’s (SVCC) nursing programs — including the Keysville campus — was ranked among the best in the state by a nursing organization.

RegisteredNursing.org, a Carlsbad, California-based organization intended as a resource to help future nurses succeed, named SVCC’s John H. Daniel’s Keysville campus ninth Registered Nursing (RN) nursing school program out of 64 accredited nursing schools in Virginia.

This was RegisteredNursing.org’s Third Annual State RN Program Rankings.

Indeed, SVCC noted that the Christanna campus program was ranked third, while the South Boston and Daniel Campus programs were ranked eighth and ninth respectively.

The nursing programs were assessed on several factors which represent how well a program supports students toward licensure and beyond. According to the website, “selecting the best nursing schools in Virginia can be difficult.”

School officials cheered the ratings.

“This designation is certainly an honor,” said Dr. Michelle Edmonds, SVCC’s dean of nursing. “It validates all of the hard work our faculty and staff do to insure student success. Our program is very rigorous and this clearly demonstrates our success.”
SVCC had 41 students complete its nursing program this year, said Christie Hales, a spokesperson for the school.

In its review, RegisteredNursing.org noted that the Keysville campus “offers students an exceptional Associate of Applied Science nursing program. The dedicated faculty guide students to deftly perform the duties of a registered nurse with confidence.”
Bryce Hall, head of customer relations for the nursing organization, said they use an extended five-year weighted scoring methodology.
“Our rankings were designed to help inform potential students about program consistency,” Hall said. “This is why we use a five-year weighted methodology.
“Again, the key here is consistency; what programs are consistently delivering the best (National Council Licensure Examination) first-time test taker pass rates.
“We at RegisteredNursing.org believe stronger test taking pass rates mean the source of education is superior and in depth. If you pass well above industry average employers are aware of the type of quality associated with nurses coming out of those schools year in and year out,” Hall said.
Bell noted SVCC has shown a consistency of above national averages for more than five years.
The organization goal is to help bring those interested in nursing from the research phase, to enrollment, to landing that first RN job and beyond, with a mission of promoting “excellence in nursing through enabling future nurses with the tools they need to succeed.”