Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation - NSU Access Only

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Nursing Education

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

First Advisor

Stefanie LaManna

Second Advisor

Chitra Paul Victor

Date of original Performance / Presentation

January 2025

Publication Date / Copyright Date

1-1-2025

Abstract

The National Council of State Boards of Nursing developed the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) to evaluate students’ ability to use clinical judgment. Nurse educators have been working diligently to prepare students enrolled in their program for the NGN, ensuring they are adequately prepared for it. However, since the NGN was introduced, first-time pass rates have continued to fluctuate. Past research has focused on pre-graduation factors that prepare students for the examination. Thus, little is known about the preparation strategies and experiences of baccalaureate nursing graduates during the time between graduation and taking the NGN examination. Using Bruner’s discovery learning theory, this interpretive phenomenological study aimed to explore the lived experiences of baccalaureate nursing graduates preparing for the NGN after graduation. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with nine baccalaureate nursing graduates, yielding thick descriptions of what was significant and influential to them regarding their postgraduation NGN preparation experience. Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method was employed, yielding five themes with corresponding subthemes. The five themes were: (a) early NGN exposure, (b) finding your style and resources, (c) juggling feelings, (d) striving for mastery, and (e) study-life balance. The findings from this study can significantly impact nursing education, nursing practice, nursing research, and public health policy by providing insight into how to more effectively prepare nursing graduates for the NGN, thereby increasing first-time pass rates and the number of baccalaureate-prepared nurses entering the workforce. Keywords: National Council Licensure Examination, NCLEX, Next Generation NCLEX, NGN, baccalaureate, nursing, graduates, preparation, postgraduation

Disciplines

Nursing

Keywords

graduates; National Council Licensure Examination; NCLEX; Next Generation NCLEX; nursing; preparation

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