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Lindsey Wilson University Nursing Program Reports Another Successful Year

In annual meeting with Community of Interest members, Director of Nursing Dr. Emiley Button highlights 100% NCLEX-RN pass rate, No. 1 ranking.

by Duane Bonifer

COLUMBIA, Ky. (03/02/2026) — Lindsey Wilson University's nursing program has a lot to celebrate.

That was the message that Lindsey Wilson Director of Nursing Dr. Emiley Button delivered at the program's annual Community of Interest meeting, held Friday, Feb. 27, in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference.

The day also included a career fair for nursing students and presentations of students' special research projects.

In addition to the launch of a 30-hour RN-to-BSN online program within the last year, Button reported that Lindsey Wilson's nursing program was named the top nursing program among Kentucky's independent colleges and universities by NursingExplorer.com.

The program's nursing students are excelling in several other ways as well, Button said.

Lindsey Wilson nursing students in the Class of 2024 recorded a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN -- the National Council Licensure Examination-Registered Nursing, the nationwide examination for the licensing of nurses in the United States. The NCLEX-RN Class of 2025's pass rate will be released later this spring.

Button told the group that a big reason for students' success on the NCLEX-RN was the program's "Sophomore Boot Camp," which was introduced in fall 2021. The three-day program, which is held a week before fall classes begin, helps students understand what the next three years of their Lindsey Wilson nursing careers will require. The first nursing group that went through the "Sophomore Boot Camp" was the Class of 2024.

"We started the boot camp because we felt that students coming into the program didn't always know what they were getting into or ready to hit the ground running," said Button.

In addition to having a 100% pass rate on the NCLEX-RN, the first class that went through the three-day camp also had a lower attrition rate.

"Students told us that they felt like the experience helped them bond with their peers and instructors," said Button.

Another one of the nursing program's highlights over the last year was the development of a competency-based education project. Over two semesters, Lindsey Wilson nursing students worked with community partners to address a health care issue within the organization. Some of the topics that Lindsey Wilson nursing students studied included postpartum depression, catheter infection, helping patients understand the difference between urgent care and emergency care, and campus health care education.

"This was an awesome experience for our students," said Assistant Director of Nursing Dr. Angie Johnson. "Not only was it a great example of our collaboration with community partners in the region, but our students gained valuable leadership skills and deeper insights into the health care profession."

Lindsey Wilson University is a vibrant liberal arts university in Columbia, Kentucky. Founded in 1903 and affiliated with The United Methodist Church, the mission of Lindsey Wilson is to serve the educational needs of students by providing a living-learning environment within an atmosphere of active caring and Christian concern where every student, every day, learns and grows and feels like a real human being. Lindsey Wilson offers 28 undergraduate majors, five graduate programs and a doctoral program. The university's 29 intercollegiate varsity athletic teams have won more than 120 team and individual national championships.

Media Attachments

Members of the Lindsey Wilson University nursing program met with members of the program’s Community of Interest on Friday, Feb. 27, at the university’s Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference Center. From left: LWU faculty member Roslin Bradshaw; LWU Assistant Director of Nursing Dr. Angie Johnson; Shelby Hatcher, Community of Interest member; Rhonda Pitcock, Community of Interest member; Rhonda Knight, Community of Interest member; Brandon Dickey, Community of Interest member; Sandy Russell, Community of Interest member; Jamie Wilkerson, Community of Interest member; LWU Director of Nursing Dr. Emiley Button; Katrina Wood, Community of Interest member; Kristen Branham, LWU nursing faculty; and Susan Vickous, LWU nursing faculty.

Lindsey Wilson University nursing student Kaylyn Smith ’26 of Campbellsville, Kentucky, left, speaks with Dana Meiklereid, senior recruiter with Norton Healthcare Human Resources of Louisville, Kentucky, at the LWU Nursing Fair, held Friday, Feb. 27, at the university’s Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship.

Mitchell Wiese, a talent acquisition specialist with Ephraim McDowell Health of Danville, Kentucky, speaks with Lindsey Wilson University nursing students at the LWU Nursing Fair, held Friday, Feb. 27, at the university’s Norma and Glen Hodge Center for Discipleship.

Lindsey Wilson University nursing majors Hannah Williamson ’26 of Munfordville, Kentucky, left, and Jada Yann ’26 of Louisville, Kentucky, discuss their research about community health education on Friday, Feb. 27, at the university’s Dr. Robert and Carol Goodin Nursing & Counseling Center. Their research was one of the program’s competency-based education projects that helps nursing majors better understand the health care profession.

Lindsey Wilson University Director of Nursing Dr. Emiley Button addresses the program’s annual Community of Interest meeting, held Friday, Feb. 27, in the Roberta D. Cranmer Dining & Conference.

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