Wright State’s largest class of nursing students on fast track to fight coronavirus

Wright State nursing students who graduate in May 2020 will be able to begin working in health care settings with temporary licenses. (File photo from 2018)

Wright State University’s largest-ever class of nursing students will be able to help with the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic sooner than expected thanks to the emergency use of temporary licenses.

To help alleviate the need for nurses, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a bill that temporarily suspends the requirement that nursing graduates pass their state exam before being allowed to practice.

The State of Ohio will instead issue temporary licenses for students who complete a nursing program but are unable to take licensing tests due to testing centers closing because of the coronavirus.

That means Wright State nursing graduates will be able to start work without having to wait for the Ohio Board of Nursing testing centers to re-open.

“This is great news for the nurses and the community as they will be able to get out to help with this pandemic sooner than we expected,” said Deborah Ulrich, interim dean of the College of Nursing and Health. “It is even more exciting as the May 2020 class of B.S.N. graduates is the biggest class ever for Wright State University, with 120 students. This will be a huge help to our community as they fight COVID-19.”

Ohio hospitals are expected to receive 6,000 to 8,000 new cases a day when the coronavirus pandemic peaks across the state in mid-May.

Last week, the College of Nursing and Health donated more than 250 boxes of surgical masks, gowns, gloves and other items to local hospitals to help protect health care workers from the coronavirus.

The Wright State University-Miami Valley College of Nursing and Health was recently named one of the nation’s top nursing schools by Nursing Schools Almanac. The college is ranked No. 16 in Ohio and No. 80 in the entire Great Lakes Region for 2019. More than 95% of Wright State nursing students pass the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) the first time they take it. NCLEX is a nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses.

The College of Nursing and Health is committed to excellence in nursing education and providing competent nursing professionals to the Dayton and Lake Campus regions and throughout Ohio. Nursing faculty provide an exceptional curriculum and lab simulations, while community partners offer clinical experiences that prepare students for a multitude of nursing roles.