SUNY Orange nursing graduates continue to demonstrate strong performance on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX), with the Newburgh program's current first-time pass rate standing at 93 percent, surpassing the New York State average of 85.4 percent. To date, 44 graduates have taken the NCLEX, with 41 passing on their first attempt.

“Achieving a first-time NCLEX pass rate that exceeds the New York State average demonstrates the commitment and determination of our nursing students and the excellence of our faculty,” said Dr. Latoya Stukes, chair of the SUNY Orange Nursing program. “We are proud to prepare graduates who are ready to enter the nursing profession and make a meaningful impact in their communities.”

The NCLEX is the national nursing licensing examination designed to measure the knowledge, skills and abilities essential for the safe and effective practice of nursing at the entry level. Graduates who pass the examination are eligible for licensure as registered nurses.

Accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN), the SUNY Orange Nursing program has a rich history spanning more than seven decades. In 1952, Orange County Community College became the first college in the nation to offer a two-year associate degree program in nursing. Today, the College offers students the opportunity to earn a nursing degree through daytime and evening programs on the Middletown campus and a daytime program on the Newburgh campus.

Photo caption: SUNY Orange nursing students attend NYSNA Lobby Day in Albany in 2026.