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Featured photo: Faculty and students representing Blue Ridge’s EMS program pose with an ambulance at the Public Safety Training facility. 100% of the May 2025 Advanced EMT course passed the state certification exam. (Photo by Rich Keen.)
The following story was featured in Blue Ridge Community College’s 2024-25 annual report. This report and others are available online on the About Blue Ridge webpage.
Blue Ridge Community College ranks No. 1 in North Carolina for preparing students to pass challenging professional licensure exams, according to the most recent Performance Measures for Student Success report released by the North Carolina Community College System. The ranking reflects the College’s commitment to excellence in instruction and student preparation across programs that feed directly into high-demand fields.
The Performance Measures report is the state’s primary accountability document for its 58 community colleges, assessing outcomes that demonstrate institutional quality and student success. Blue Ridge’s top ranking underscores the dedication of its faculty and staff in preparing graduates for professional excellence and workforce readiness.
Two recent examples highlight this achievement. In the Emergency Medical Services program, every student in the May 2025 paramedic class passed the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician state certification exam on their first attempt. Instructor
Virginia Purdy said the accomplishment speaks to the College’s hands-on, real-world approach.
“We train like we work,” she said. “These students show up determined to serve their communities.”
Similarly, Blue Ridge’s new Practical Nursing program celebrated a 100% pass rate on the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-PN) for its first graduating cohort. The one-year program launched in January 2024.
“Passing this exam validates a nurse’s competency and strengthens the public’s confidence in knowing that each nurse is educated and trained to practice safely,” said Dean of Health Sciences Leigh Angel, MSN, RN. “It confirms that the nurse has the clinical
judgment, knowledge and decision-making skills required to provide safe and effective care.”
The College’s success in licensure outcomes showcases not only the dedication of its students, but also the extraordinary expertise, mentorship and perseverance of the faculty and staff who guide them every step of the way.