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NCLEX Pass Rates Are Declining: Stacie Wood, CNO of Elevate Healthcare, Shares What’s Next
The recent decline in NCLEX pass rates has sparked concern across nursing education and healthcare systems nationwide. To shed light on what these numbers really mean—and how simulation can accelerate nurse readiness—we sat down with Stacie Wood, Chief Nursing Officer at Elevate Healthcare. With nearly 30 years in nursing leadership and deep expertise in healthcare simulation, Stacie offers authentic industry insights and actionable strategies to address this critical challenge.
Watch the complete interview with Stacie Wood to hear her in-depth perspective on the NCLEX pass rate decline and the future of nurse readiness.
Introducing Stacie Wood: A Leader in Nursing and Simulation
As Elevate Healthcare’s Chief Nursing Officer, Stacie Wood, MSN, RN, leads teams dedicated to training, education, and consulting with a focus on simulation as a strategic lever for education, safety, readiness, and culture. Her extensive background spans neonatal, pediatric, women’s health, and critical care populations, giving her a unique perspective on preparing nurses for real-world high-risk scenarios
Understanding the NCLEX Pass Rate Decline: What’s Behind the Numbers?
Q: Can you share your perspective on the recent drop in NCLEX pass rates?
“The latest data shows that 88.37% of first-time U.S.-educated registered nurse candidates passed the NCLEX in the first quarter of 2025, down from nearly 94.2% in 2024. When we include all candidates – internationally educated and varying degree types – that pass rate drops further to 72.5%. These numbers are enough to get our attention, but the data alone doesn’t tell the whole story.”
Stacie explains that multiple factors contribute to the decline: “The next-generation NCLEX introduced in 2023 emphasizes clinical judgment and critical thinking, which students and programs are still adapting to. Additionally, many nursing programs are still recovering from COVID-related disruptions, which limited hands-on clinical exposure. Add faculty shortages, student burnout, and healthcare system strain, and it’s clear we’re seeing a profession in transition. Transitional periods often bring temporary dips in pass rates.”
The Real-World Impact of the NCLEX Pass Rate Decline on Hospitals and Patient Care
Q: What happens if we don’t address this decline now?
“If we don’t act, the consequences compound: worsening workforce shortages, longer and more expensive onboarding, frustrated new nurses leaving the profession early, and most importantly, potential compromises to patient safety. Confidence and competence from day one are essential for safe practice.”
Q: How are hospitals specifically affected?
“Hospitals face longer onboarding periods and increased reliance on experienced nurse preceptors, who are already managing full patient loads. Financially, extended orientations and turnover costs add up quickly, stretching an already thin workforce. We need closer collaboration between academia and healthcare systems to tackle these root causes.”
Simulation as a Strategic Solution to the NCLEX Pass Rate Decline
Q: Can you explain how simulation prepares nurses for the NCLEX and day-one readiness?
“Simulation closes the gap between classroom learning and bedside readiness. It allows nurses to practice complex, high-pressure scenarios like managing a deteriorating sepsis patient in a safe, supportive environment. This builds both competence and confidence, which are critical not just for passing the NCLEX, but for stepping onto a unit ready to deliver safe patient care.”
Q: What is a real example where simulation made a measurable difference?
“One of my most profound moments was leading a maternal simulation on anaphylactoid syndrome of pregnancy (AFE), a rare but catastrophic emergency. Weeks later, when a real AFE case occurred, our team moved with urgency and unity, exactly as we had practiced. The result? We saved two lives, a mother and her baby. That’s the power of practice, preparation, and trust through simulation.”
Overcoming Simulation Barriers and Taking Action
Q: What are the biggest hurdles hospitals and schools face when expanding simulation?
“Budget and staffing are top concerns, along with the misconception that simulation requires an all-or-nothing investment. But you can start small, choosing high-impact scenarios, training faculty, measuring results, and growing from there. It’s about building momentum and a growth mindset.”
Q: What practical first steps can nurse leaders take tomorrow?
“Start with a training needs or gap analysis to identify priority skills and decision-making scenarios where readiness is low. Then build targeted simulations using your existing resources or partner with experts like us. The key is to just start with focused planning and grow from early wins.”
Looking Ahead: The Future of Simulation in Nursing Education
Q: How do you see simulation shaping nursing education in the next 3-5 years?
“Simulation will be embedded as a standard, not a supplement, at every stage of nursing education and healthcare onboarding. Advances like virtual and mixed reality will support tailored scenarios to individual needs and help bridge gaps where clinical time is limited. This approach will sustain readiness throughout nurses’ careers, creating a confident and resilient workforce.”
Final Thoughts from Stacie Wood
“This is the moment we’ve been waiting for to make a difference in the healthcare system,” Stacie says. “Each person reading this is the change agent we need. At Elevate Healthcare, we’re ready to be your partner in elevating nursing education and patient safety.”
For the full in-depth conversation with Stacie Wood on falling NCLEX pass rates and the critical role of simulation in nurse readiness, watch the complete interview here.