In 1988, a quantitative and qualitative analysis was conducted to determine the effectiveness, quality, and image of Patrick Henry Community College's (PHCC's) nursing program. The study was initiated in response to faculty and administrator concern about the low passing rates of nursing graduates on the state licensing board examination. The nursing program was evaluated in terms of the percentage of first-time candidates passing the nursing licensure exam; the academic and personal characteristics associated with success or failure on the exam; and a 1987 survey of area doctors, dentists, hospitals, and nursing homes to determine their satisfaction with PHCC graduates. Study findings included the following: (1) the passing rate for the licensure exam ranged from a low of 65% in 1985 to a high of 81% in 1987; (2) compared to other Virginia community colleges, PHCC ranked well below average on the pass rate of first-time examinees; (3) exam passing trends indicated that classroom grading scales were not in line with standardized tests; (4) students who repeated a nursing course were more likely to fail the licensure exam than those who did not; (5) 100% of the students who had previous practical nursing experience passed the exam on their first attempt; and (6) employers of PHCC's nursing graduates were more satisfied with graduates' attitudes about their work than with the graduates' specific skills. Among recommended changes were: (1) raise curriculum standards; (2) re-examine policy on re-admission of academic failures; (3) establish tutoring programs for at-risk students; and (4) tighten admission requirements. It was pointed out that 1988 graduates, not included in this study, achieved a 92% pass rate for first-time examinees. Appendixes provide the questionnaire for the employer survey, detailed results, and a report submitted to the Nursing Consultant to Virginia's Department of Health Regulatory Boards regarding the reasons for the failure of PHCC students on the licensure exam. (AJL)