Class of Sept. 2017

The Robert T. White School of Practical Nursing  is offering congratulations to the entire class of September, 2017 who passed the NCLEX exam, a required rite of passage as a nursing student into the field.

The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is not an easy test to pass and has proven difficult for many students in the past. This is the first time in the program’s recent history that 100 percent of the students in one class who took the exam passed.

Director of the Program, Bonnie Newton, said the 100 percent passage rate shows that the program is improving in its ability to help students pass their licensure test.

“These students show that our program helps prepare students for the careers they want. They have studied, worked hard, and taken advantage of the program offered here at the Alliance Career Center,” she said.

Newton started as director at the school in September of 2016, half way through the class of September 2017’s two years at the school.

Many changes in staffing and policies were made to improve the school since Newton began. The high passage rate on the test shows that the changes are making a difference.

“We have a solid foundation now. We have a good core group of faculty right now who I think will continue to improve this program,” she said.

Around 50 percent of the staff are new to the school within the last two years.

The program has also changed to better emphasize hands-on skills which enable students to learn the materials and retain it for testing.

Newton also led a restructuring of curriculum to highlight the skills that the students need.

Looking forward, she said the nursing school has the foundation it will need to continue producing students who can pass the NCLEX and graduate prepared for nursing careers.

Newton has also worked on the school’s relationships with clinical sites so that students have even better opportunities for hands-on experience that will prepare them for whatever they encounter in their career.

That includes higher acuity clinical sites such as opportunities at Hattie Larlham, a long-term pediatric care facility in Mantua, Ohio and Circle of Care in Salem, Ohio which has a long-term  ventilator-dependent unit . Clinicals will also begin again at Alliance Community Hospital.

Assistant Superintendent Rob Gress notes that Mrs. Newton's work with Alliance Career Center's RTW School of Practical Nursing has paid dividends.

"Mrs. Newton, since her arrival here, has worked relentlessly to improve our nursing curriculum, instruction, and culture. Because of her leadership, and the focused work of her staff, students get the material they need, with a style of instruction that meets their needs, in an environment built to ensure adult learners will succeed. We couldn't be more proud of Alliance's LPN program."

The Robert T. White School of Practical Nursing offers part time and full time programs to provide students with the opportunity to obtain a License in Practical Nursing. Programs are offered during the day and evening at the Alliance Career Center.

The Career Center is now accepting applications for the next full time LPN course which will begin September 10, 2018. Call 330-829-2267 for more information.

The Career Center offers other programs including Cosmetology, Medical Assisting, Phlebotomy, Pipe welding, STNA and welding.