What’s Different About Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® Prep?
- Updates that established the Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® had been in the works for more than a decade.
- The changes added the clinical judgment model, new item types, new scoring, and a new test design.
- Prep programs like Slone NCLEX are designed to help you prepare for the adjustments to the Next-Gen NCLEX-RN®.
In April 2023, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) released the 2023 Next Generation NCLEX® (NGN) exam. This update had been in the works for more than a decade. It came after nursing experts completed extensive research, investigation, and analysis to develop the Nursing Competency and Judgment Measurement Model (NCJMM) and the NGN.
This comprehensive work involved an intense examination of nursing practices, educational methodologies, and assessment strategies to ensure these frameworks addressed the evolving challenges in healthcare and accurately measured the competencies required for entry-level nurses. The big question with this update is, “What is the best Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® Prep?”
Well, the short answer is that you must understand what changed in the Next-Gen NCLEX-RN®. The long answer is that you need to read the following to help you create the best Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® Prep.
Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® Overview
A quick review of what changed, and then we will go into the details of those changes.
- The Clinical Judgment Model was added
- New Item Types
- New item scoring – they added partial credit!
- NGN Test Design
Before 2023, the NCLEX® only utilized the nursing process to evaluate your ability to be a safe nurse. The nursing process follows the assessment, analysis, planning, implementation, and evaluation (ADPIE) model.
The 2023 update added the Clinical Judgment model. Now, the Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® incorporates the NCJMM as a framework that aids nurses in decision-making and enhancing clinical judgment skills. According to the NCSBN, clinical judgment is “an iterative process that uses nursing knowledge to observe and assess situations, identify prioritized client concerns, and generate evidence-based solutions for safe client care.”
The NCJMM emphasizes critical thinking and cognitive skills essential for accurate clinical judgments. Its main purpose is to help nurse educators and clinicians assess a nurse’s clinical judgment abilities. The model is based on the nursing process and includes six key steps: Recognize cues, Analyze cues, Prioritize hypotheses, Generate solutions, Take action, and Evaluate outcomes. This is how the clinical judgment model works:
Here is how the nursing process and the clinical judgment model work together:
New Item Types
Next, the NCLEX® added new item types to better assess the tester’s clinical judgment. The new item types are:
- Matrix multiple-choice
- Matrix multiple-response
- Multiple-response: Select all that apply
- Multiple-response: Select N
- Multiple-response: Grouping
- Drag-and-drop: Cloze
- Drag-and-drop: Rationale
- Drop-down: Cloze
- Drop-down: Rationale
- Drop-down: Table
- Highlight: Text
- Highlight: Table, and
- Unfolding Case Studies.
Case studies are real-world nursing scenarios that focus on the six clinical judgment functions of the NCJMM. Each case study is divided into two sections: the left side and the right side.
The left side describes the scenario and includes a representation of a client care record, featuring tabs for nursing notes, laboratory results, provider orders, vital signs, and the client’s history and physical examination. Additional tabs may be provided throughout the case study to include more information as the case progresses — similar to real life, where a client’s condition may change, or new information becomes available.
The right side presents a series of questions that need to be answered. These questions will be in the form of new item types specifically designed to assess clinical judgment. After the candidate answers a question, the screen will update to present a new question on the right side.
New Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® Scoring
And with the new item types, comes new scoring. This might be everyone’s favorite change, as the NCLEX® now provides partial credit scoring.
The new scoring system, called NGN, uses a “polytomous scoring” method that allows for partial credit on certain question types. This means test-takers can earn points for partially correct answers, which differs from the previous system that only recognized answers as correct or incorrect. The new scoring system includes three main rules:
- 0/1 Scoring: A correct answer earns one point, while an incorrect one earns zero points.
- +/- Scoring: A correct answer earns one point, but an incorrect answer deducts one point.
- Rationale Scoring: A pair of answers must both be correct in order to earn a point.
These changes provide a more nuanced assessment of test-takers’ knowledge and abilities.
Finally, the test design of the NGN changed. This grid will help break down the details of all the changes.
The Bottom Line
Now that you understand the details of the change, let’s discuss the best Next-Gen NCLEX-RN® Prep. The most effective strategy is to practice by taking 200-400 NCLEX® questions each day. Make sure to include a variety of question types, incorporating the new and old item types.
Using a structured prep program like Slone NCLEX can help you stay organized in your studies. It can be challenging to maintain focus and rigor in your nursing studies while also preparing for exam day after graduation, but this preparation is essential for your success.
Therefore, find a reputable prep program that offers quality questions, detailed rationales, and readiness exams to track your progress and determine your exam readiness. And make sure to stick with it!