Accolades
NCLEX-RN pass rate is 91 percent for second quarter 2026
Photo by Lee Ferris
Mount students’ National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) pass rate was 91.30 percent for first-time test takers in the second quarter of 2026, which is well above both the state and national rates.
The statistic comes from the University of the State of New York – New York State Education Department Office of the Professions, which tracks NCLEX pass rates for the state.
The NCLEX-RN is a test Nursing graduates around the nation must pass in order to become a registered nurse. It determines if a graduate is safe to practice in the field.
“I’m extremely proud of our students for their outstanding work in the Nursing program and on NCLEX-RN,” said Lynette DeBellis, associate professor and Chair of the School of Nursing at the Mount. “I would also like to thank our Nursing professors and clinical instructors for all that they do to prepare our students for this important milestone. Mount nursing faculty considers it a privilege and tremendous responsibility to prepare graduates for the honorable profession of nursing.”
The Mount is committed to its mission of educating excellent healthcare professionals who will go on to lead and serve in their own communities. Working with more than 50 clinical sites like local hospitals and clinics, the Mount’s nationally accredited four-year nursing degree program boasts passionate faculty who are dedicated to the success of both their undergraduate and graduate students.
Mount snags $300K grant to empower disadvantaged nursing students
The Mount is taking student success to the next level with a newly awarded one-year, $300,000 grant from The Mother Cabrini Health Foundation. The funding will fully launch “Project RN,” a comprehensive retention and academic support initiative engineered specifically for undergraduate nursing students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
This award is part of the Cabrini foundation’s latest round of statewide grants, totaling more than $142 million and aimed at strengthening essential systems of care while addressing the immediate needs of vulnerable New Yorkers.
Project RN is designed to increase nursing education opportunities by serving 20 full-time undergraduate Mount Nursing students annually. These students, all New York State residents, hail from economically or educationally disadvantaged backgrounds. The grant will provide critical funding for tuition and fees, while also supporting holistic programming to dismantle barriers to academic success.
Using a cohort-based model, the program will offer targeted tutoring, specialized review sessions, and dedicated faculty advisors; monthly workshops covering time management, study skills, stress management, and goal-setting strategies; and opportunities for service-learning and research alongside experienced mentors.
“Project RN represents the very heart of the Mount’s mission,” said Ann Marie Brooks, Interim Dean of the School of Nursing at the Mount. “With the generous support of the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation, we are not just providing an education; we are building a supportive community that ensures our future nurses have the tools, the compassion, and the resources they need to serve our region’s most vulnerable populations.”
This is the sixth grant the Mount has received from the Mother Cabrini Health Foundation in as many years to help the college serve its students and the local community.
MSMC ranked number 1 online MBA in New York by OMD
The Mount was recently recognized as the top-ranked institution in the state for online graduate business education by OnlineMastersDegrees.org (OMD).
In the organization’s 2026 annual rankings, the Mount’s Online MBA program secured the topspot for Best Online MBA Degree Programs in New York.
The ranking process involved a rigorous multi-month analysis of thousands of programs nationwide. OMD’s research team identified the Mount as a leader in providing high-quality, affordable graduate education, specifically evaluating metrics that impact student success. These metrics include:
Tuition affordability: Ensuring a high-value return on investment for graduate students.
Student-to-faculty ratios: Maintaining the Mount’s commitment to close faculty mentorship.
Online availability: Providing flexible, accessible learning platforms for working professionals.
Career support services: Offering robust resources to help students transition into leadership roles. This includes the college’s Center for Academic and Career Services (CACS), which provides help with finding internships and perfecting résumés.
This recognition underscores the Mount’s strategic vision of providing opportunity and community-focused education. By balancing academic rigor with the flexibility required by today’s workforce, the Mount continues to serve as a vital talent pipeline for the Hudson Valley and beyond.
