Abstract
Background: One of the key indicators of a quality prelicensure nursing program is the NCLEX first-time pass rate. NCLEX-RN pass rates have been decreasing over the last several years.
Problem: The decrease in NCLEX pass rates suggests that nursing programs analyze their curriculum with the goal of increasing NCLEX scores.
Approach: One small associate degree in nursing program implemented strategic changes to positively improve NCLEX success, which included curriculum revisions and incorporating a clinical judgment framework.
Outcomes: By using several innovative strategies, this program increased its first-time NCLEX pass rates by 24%.
Conclusions: The purpose of this article is to provide strategies that significantly increased the NCLEX-RN pass rates within 1 year. With the Next Generation NCLEX's launch in April 2023, nursing programs must be proactive in identifying strategies to prepare students for the NCLEX.