Two 2026 Marian University Plymouth nursing graduates are beginning their careers as registered nurses after passing the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) on their first attempt.
Bailey Ambrose ’26 and Lakeland Strain ’26 successfully completed the national licensing examination required for nurses to practice, marking the culmination of years of classroom instruction, clinical experience and preparation.
For Ambrose, the moment came after an exam she described as stressful despite extensive preparation. As she worked through the NCLEX, she found herself recalling advice from her Marian professors.
“For me, the exam shut off at the minimum amount of questions needed to pass,” Ambrose said. “I was relieved upon seeing my active RN licensure a few days later, and I was pleasantly greeted with congratulations from my professors.”
Ambrose said the experience underscored the value of the preparation she received throughout Marian’s nursing program.
“All the years of hard work paid off, and I am eternally grateful to Marian, its staff, and particularly the nursing department for providing me with the knowledge needed to fulfill my purpose as a nurse,” she said.
Strain credited a combination of academic preparation and hands-on experience for helping her prepare for the exam and the nursing profession.
“Critical thinking exercises, simulation labs, case study questions, NCLEX-style prep examinations, and clinical experience are all things that have accounted for my success in becoming a nurse,” Strain said.
She said that completing the program and becoming a nurse is one of her proudest accomplishments.
“Through the ups and downs of it all, it is something I will always be proud of,” Strain said. “Marian University Plymouth's nursing program benefited me in many ways that helped me to become a nurse. It also challenged me at times, which made me work harder for this achievement.”
Victoria Cavallaro, MSN, RN, director of nursing, said the graduates’ success reflects both their preparation and perseverance.
“I could not be more proud of our graduates. Their success on the NCLEX is a testament to their hard work, resilience, and dedication throughout the nursing program,” Cavallaro said. “Watching them grow into compassionate, competent registered nurses has been one of the greatest rewards of nursing education. We are excited to celebrate this milestone and to welcome them into the nursing profession.”
For Ambrose and Strain, passing the NCLEX moves them from nursing graduates to licensed registered nurses, and into the profession they spent years at Marian preparing for.