The National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX) is a standardized test that nursing graduates must pass to obtain a professional nursing license in the United States and Canada. At MSOE, School of Nursing students consistently see NCLEX pass rates above state and national averages.

In spring 2023, the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) was launched to better measure nursing candidates’ clinical judgment and decision-making abilities in response to increasing complexity in the nursing field. The School of Nursing proactively tackled this change head on to ensure students were prepared for both the exam and their careers after graduation.

“The test, and our professional standards, called us to strengthen clinical judgement and decision making in our curriculum so students could enter the nursing workforce ‘practice ready,’” said Dr. Amy Ketchum, assistant professor and undergraduate program director in the School of Nursing.

The School of Nursing incorporated several evidence-based learning strategies into the classroom to prepare students. This included the use of case studies that unfolded in the classroom to mimic changing patient condition, high fidelity simulations to incorporate hands-on demonstration of skill mastery, and the development of test question formats that mimic the revised NCLEX format.

Students weren’t the only ones who were prepared for this change—faculty leaders went through workshops, faculty development sessions and shared resources throughout the change to ensure they were well equipped to assist students.

This effort showed clear success, and the proof is in the numbers. In spring 2026, MSOE students saw a 95.83% NCLEX pass rate, surpassing the Wisconsin state average of 86.55% and the national average of 85.38%.

Ketchum explained those numbers are based on first-time pass-rate. MSOE students routinely see 100% pass rates overall, when including students who have a subsequent attempt. This translates into 100% career outcomes rate for the School of Nursing.

“It is more than just teaching how to take a test—it is also about preparing students for practice,” said Ketchum. “I believe our success is because of the proactive approach to adapting our curriculum to meet changing demands, faculty that are committed to ongoing education and expertise in nursing education, and diverse clinical opportunities with healthcare agencies, including one-on-one preceptorships.”