Houston Community College no longer offers its Associate Degree in Nursing program, according to the Texas Board of Nursing.
The college voluntarily ended the program Dec. 31. The ADN program has operated under a conditional approval since April 2023, meaning it hasn't met state standards for three years, the Houston Chronicle reported Feb. 23. It has been operating since 1979.
For Texas nursing programs to remain approved, the average passing rate among first-year test-takers of the National Council Licensure Examination-RN has to be 80%, according to the news outlet.
Between 2018 and 2022, the ADN program's average passing rate fell from 94% to 49%. The state's nursing board handed the college a sanction in 2020 after a 77% pass rate. The figure then dropped to 57% then 49%, or 97 of 197 students passing.
Officials told the Houston Chronicle the closure came after 57 students were not able to take a licensure exam because "there were no available testing sites in Houston and the surrounding areas."
"HCC takes pride in the ADN program's legacy," the school said. "This challenging decision to close the program reflects our adherence to the highest nursing education standards. … In collaboration with the Texas Board of Nursing, this decision marks our proactive stance in adapting to healthcare education's evolving needs, with a commitment to innovative nursing education solutions."
Houston Community College said it is focusing on graduating the 57 students and confirming them a testing location.