What is one key difference between the traditional NCLEX and the NGN?

The NGN incorporates more complex, higher-order thinking questions, reflecting a significant evolution in the assessment of nursing competencies. This change is designed to better evaluate a candidate's ability to apply critical thinking, clinical judgment, and decision-making skills in real-world scenarios.

By emphasizing these skills, the NGN aims to prepare nursing graduates to meet the increasingly complex healthcare needs of patients. This approach aligns with contemporary nursing practice, where the ability to synthesize information, prioritize care, and make informed decisions is crucial. Thus, candidates must demonstrate their analytical capabilities rather than simply recalling facts or basic nursing procedures.

This shift in question complexity is pivotal because it acknowledges that the nursing role today goes beyond mere knowledge; it requires the integration and application of that knowledge in varied and often unpredictable circumstances, mirroring the actual challenges faced in clinical settings.