Next Gen NCLEX Pass Rate - Naxlex

The Next Generation is a new model of the NCLEX created to evaluate clinical judgment for nursing candidates. Every three years, the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) meets to determine the pass rate. For instance, in the first quarter of 2023, the next-gen NCLEX pass rate for NCLEX-RN was 80.48% in the US. The pass rate improved to 94.32% and 90.69% for the second and third quarters respectively.

There has been a massive shortage of nurses in the US affecting the health care industry. As various proposals are put in place to address the nurse shortage, new next-gen NCLEX pass rates have generated hope and skepticism. This calls for effective preparation strategies to achieve the required pass rate. A sure way to prepare for success in the next-gen NCLEX is to use Naxlex.  Try Naxlex  for a guaranteed A in your exam or 100% money back.

Summary of NCSBN Next Gen NCLEX Pass Rate in 2023

According to the  NCSBN website , the following are the next-gen NCLEX pass rates in 2023 for different quarters of the year. The pass rates comprise NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN.

NCLEX-RN Pass Rate:

First-time US-educated aspiring nurses. The following are the next-gen NCLEX pass rates.

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 80.48%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 94.32%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 90.69%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 88.63%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 88.56%

Pass rates for first-time internationally educated nurses. The following are the pass rates in 2023.

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 39.86%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 57.69%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 58.37%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 60.40%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 52.60%

Repeat US-educated aspiring nurses.  The following are the next-gen NCLEX pass rates for NCLEX-RN repeat candidates in 2023. 

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 40.66%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 62.15%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 56.61%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 55.81%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 51.15%

Repeat internationally educated aspiring nurses.  The following are the next-gen NCLEX pass rates for NCLEX-RN repeat candidates in 2023. 

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 28.85%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 51.33%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 50.03%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 48.08%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 42.35%

All NCLEX-RN candidates (US and internationally educated)

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 57.79%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 81.61%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 75.46%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 65.75%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 69.66%

NCLEX-PN Pass Rate:

The following are the next-gen NCLEX pass rates for NCLEX-PN for different students across various quarters in 2023.

US-educated nurses

1. First quarter: Jan- March:79.56%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 90.07%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 90.65%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 87.59%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 86.67%

Repeat US educated

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 37.83%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 49.88%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 43.11%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 44.89%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 42.84%

First-time internationally educated

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 47.45%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 63.64%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 50.57%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 58.33%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 54.03%

Repeat first-time internationally educated

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 25.87%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 33.00%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 29.17%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 31.36%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 29.13%

All NCLEX-PN candidates (US and internationally educated)

1. First quarter: Jan- March: 65.53%

2. Second quarter: April- June: 77.91%

3. Third quarter: July- Sep: 81.44%

4. Fourth quarter: Oct-Dec: 75.76%

5. Annual Average: Jan- Dec: 74.54%

In 2023, the exam to license aspiring nurses in the United States went through a significant change. The first quarter witnessed a 24% increase in the number of candidates who passed the NCLEX-RN compared to the previous test. The increase in performance was evident across all exam takers, both domestically and globally. More candidates passing the exam equates to more nurses entering the workforce.

On the international front, the next-gen NCLEX pass rates were different. In the first quarter of 2023, the pass rate for first-time, globally educated nurses was 39.86%. For the second quarter, the pass rate increased to 57.69%. While in the third quarter of the same year, the pass rate was 58.37%. The improved pass rates show greater number of aspiring nurses passed the NCLEX in the late quarters and entered the nursing labor force.

Patient Safety Crucial in the Next-Gen NCLEX Pass Rate

The broad changes done to the next-generation NCLEX were aimed at enhancing patient safety and decreasing errors related to clinical judgment decisions among novice nurses. The NCSBN has reaffirmed this as a critical element in the effectiveness of the exam. However, a vital question arising from this is whether increasing the next-gen NCLEX pass rate equates to better patient outcomes and safety.

According to different professionals in the international education admission space, the rapid change in the new next-gen NCLEX pass rate may not bring the desired outcome regarding patient outcomes and safety. A great question asked is whether, we are compromising the quality of nursing care in an attempt to address the nursing shortage.

A balanced strategy is important to address the clinical safety for aspiring nurses. Because the next-gen NCLEX pass rate focuses more on the clinical judgment of nursing candidates, training institutions should consider offering different training solutions. Concepts that can be explored to impart relevant clinical skills include; enhanced clinical simulations, broadened curricula covering emerging healthcare issues, and partnerships with healthcare establishments to expose students to real-world scenarios.

Prepare for Next Gen NCLEX Success

We have comprehensively covered the next-gen NCLEX pass rates for both NCLEX-RN and NCLEX-PN for 2023. Achieving the required pass rate demands effective preparation before the exam. There are different strategies you can apply to get the success you need. A powerful one is Naxlex. Naxlex is a household brand in the nursing test prep space. If you want to achieve the next-gen NCLEX pass rate on the first attempt, subscribe to  Naxlex now .