Exploring the Latest Next Generation NCLEX Updates

With the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) launched last April, NRBs across the US, Canada, and Australia can now extensively measure nurses’ nursing knowledge and critical thinking. With the help of various interactive item types that gauge students’ ability to use critical thinking and decision-making abilities, the exam tests nursing students on their capacity to make clinical judgments. Thus, various BoN measure more and more prospective nurses by their nursing knowledge thoroughly.

Final Stages of the Development of the Next Generation NCLEX

During the final phase of the development of the NGN—after undergoing rigorous planning, testing, and constant review from several parties involved—there were two critical steps in 2022 to guarantee the success of the NGN before its expected launch. 

These steps involve Nursing Regulatory Body (NRB) members reviewing the examination in its maximum length and students beta testing the testing system. Both undertakings included representatives from the US and Canada.

Nursing Regulatory Body Review

Nursing regulators in the United States and Canada examine a sample of exam questions in the form of a test with a maximum length last May 2022. Sixty delegates from 24 NRBs participated in the review of the NGN-PN, NGN-RN English, and NGN-RN French examinations. 

Consistent with standardized biannual NCLEX NRB review, representatives choose a test related to the NRB’s focus. NRBs overseeing RNs and PNs’ licensure had the chance to examine both NGN-RN and NGN-PN examinations. NRBs offering the French NCLEX could review RN Exams in French and English for the NGN-RN exams.

The review involved reviewers examining 135 items in line with the 2023 NCLEX Test Plan design related to the Next Generations NCLEX’s debut in April 2023. Each exam had both classic NCLEX item types and brand-new NGN item types. These old and newer item types include items incorporating a case study, bow-tie, and clinical judgment trends. The delegates assessed the exam for general functionality and offered feedback regarding its overall functionality. 

The Next Generation NCLEX test received positive feedback from nursing regulators. The comments are statements regarding the new scoring approach, instructions for item responses, and definitions of terms. The NCSBN team used this feedback to clarify the item’s nomenclature. On the other hand, the remaining comments concerning score and item directions were addressed via NGN resources, such as the library of NGN newsletters.

Student Beta Test

The main goal of the student beta test was to confirm in a real-world setting the end-to-end operation of the Next Generation NCLEX examination procedure. Before beta testing, extensive user acceptance testing (UAT) and end-to-end testing were carried out to ensure that every part of test delivery and scoring worked as intended and per the requirements. 

By having students take the exams as if in Pearson Professional Centers (PPCs), the beta test allowed them to emulate an actual exam setting. This process enabled validation of the NGN in its entirety, from registration through exam scoring, outside of the UAT environment. 

They conducted the beta test last September 2022. Also, the student beta didn’t receive their score reports because the study aimed to evaluate the system’s end-to-end functionality in a real-world setting. Key areas of evaluation of the beta test were the following:

1. Registration

2. Test Delivery

3. Test design

4. Item Rendering

5. Scoring

6. Pass/fail decisions

Student beta testers’ feedback on the new clinical judgment situations and items indicated that the exam seemed realistic and similar to actual practice. The participant stated they had a good experience but would have liked feedback on their performance. However, it was not given as the purpose of the beta test was to guarantee that the exam would be administered and scored.

Conclusively, the beta test yielded positive all-around feedback. It successfully fulfilled all criteria above. Moreover, live delivery was examined and verified for key requirements and functionality during the UAT. The test’s design, administration, and scoring were all validated and determined to operate as planned. These outcomes gave hope that the launch of the exam would be successful. 

Summing up

The two procedures held by the NCSBN aim to ensure the Next Generation NCLEX launch is seamlessly enabled to determine several points to ensure that the exam functions accordingly. With the help of the NRBs review and student beta, they could crucially validate the exam’s overall operationality enough to feel confident in launching it.

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