Denmark Tech Nursing Students Showcase Skills at Denmark-Olar Career Fair

All 12 graduates from Denmark Technical College's 2024 practical nursing cohort passed the PN-NCLEX licensing exam on the first attempt, a 100% pass rate that nursing students brought into the community when they represented the program at the Denmark-Olar Career Fair on March 27.

That perfect pass rate clears South Carolina's already strong statewide benchmark by a wide margin. The state's 651 first-time PN-NCLEX test takers recorded a 97.08% pass rate in 2024, placing South Carolina seventh-highest in the nation and well above the national average of 88.38%. For a program operating in rural Bamberg County, exceeding both thresholds means the pipeline is producing credentialed, employer-ready nurses at a rate competitive with programs anywhere in the country.

"This achievement is a direct result of the hard work, perseverance and dedication demonstrated by both our students and faculty. We are thrilled to see our graduates excel and are confident that they will continue to make meaningful contributions to the healthcare field. This success also reaffirms the strength of our nursing program and the commitment we have to student success," said Karen Myers, dean of nursing at Denmark Technical College.

College placement records show Denmark Tech practical nursing graduates have taken positions at facilities including Pruitt Health Bamberg and The Regional Medical Center in Orangeburg, with nurse aide graduates reaching Blackville Healthcare and Rehabilitation and Williston Healthcare and Rehabilitation. The pattern traces a regional workforce pipeline that spans Bamberg, Orangeburg, and Barnwell counties, drawing directly from the Licensed Practical Nursing program at 1126 Solomon Blatt Blvd. in Denmark.

The Denmark-Olar Career Fair appearance on March 27 put that pipeline in front of local employers and community members directly, with students demonstrating clinical skills and engaging prospective partners about the program. College leadership has framed events like this as part of a strategy to connect graduates with local opportunity before they leave the region for larger markets. "Denmark Technical College is proud to offer a range of allied health programs designed to meet the needs of today's healthcare workforce. With healthcare professionals in high demand, our graduates are well positioned for an impactful career. We are dedicated to providing a comprehensive, hands-on education that empowers students go out and make in impact in the communities they will serve," said a college official identified in college communications as Todd.

The program is also working to expand its instructional capacity. Denmark Technical College has listed a full-time Nursing Instructor opening within its Academic Affairs-Licensed Practical Nursing department. The position requires a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, two years of clinical experience as a registered or advanced practice nurse, and an active, unencumbered RN license in South Carolina or a compact state. A master's degree and prior teaching experience are preferred. The role includes supervising students at off-campus clinical sites with a flexible schedule to accommodate coursework. Applicants must submit through the SC State Jobs website; resumes are not accepted in lieu of a formal application.

The workforce math for Bamberg County is direct: 12 graduates sat for the exam, 12 passed, and 12 became eligible hires in a regional healthcare market that lacks the population density to recruit its clinical workforce from anywhere else.