Dr. Angela Smith Collins

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - The National Council of State Boards of Nursing Inc. selected a University of Alabama nursing professor as one of six nurses to review items used as part of the National Council Licensure Examination for nurses.

Dr. Angela Smith Collins, associate professor in UA’s Capstone College of Nursing, participated in an NCLEX examination item review in a panel session held recently in Chicago.

The Alabama Board of Nursing nominated Collins, on the basis of her background and nursing expertise, for the prestigious assignment. Collins was named a UA associate professor in January 2002.

The National Council, headquartered in Chicago, is responsible for developing and administering the NCLEX examination for all nurses in the United States and five U.S. territories. The examination identifies those candidates who demonstrate minimal competence to practice nursing at the entry level. Passing the NCLEX examination is one of the requirements necessary for attaining a nursing license.

The Capstone College of Nursing, founded in 1976, graduates approximately 100 nurses a year from its baccalaureate program. Its graduate program for nurse case managers is one of the most innovative in the country. Partnerships with many of Alabama’s community colleges make obtaining a bachelor’s or master’s degree in nursing a realistic goal for registered nurses. With more than 600 students and 28 faculty, the College supplies registered nurses and nurse case managers to many Alabama health care facilities and others throughout the United States. The College also runs a primary care clinic in rural Alabama to provide care for rural patients and rural learning experiences for students.