Clinical Judgment Exams (CJE-RN) are innovative assessment tools designed to measure critical thinking and clinical decision-making skills. These exams align with NCLEX-RN® standards and are supported by research, ensuring they effectively prepare nursing students for real-world scenarios and licensing success.
The predictive validity of Clinical Judgment Exams (CJE-RN)
The evolving landscape of nursing education demands robust tools to evaluate and improve clinical judgment — a skill critical for safe and effective patient care. The Clinical Judgment Exams for Registered Nurses (CJE-RN) provide a comprehensive, evidence-based approach to preparing students for real-world scenarios and meeting the rigorous standards of the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN) NCLEX-RN®.
Why predictive validity matters
Predictive validity is vital in understanding how effectively an exam forecasts future performance. With the CJE-RN, this means aligning both the exam content and structure to the NCLEX-RN framework, ensuring that the skills tested are practical and directly transferable to real healthcare settings. The CJE-RN is particularly effective at this, as recent studies involving over 1,000 nursing students show its strong alignment with NCLEX-RN pass/fail benchmarks. Research validates the exam's predictive validity, with data showing that students scoring 70% or higher on the CJE-RN have a staggering 99% likelihood of passing the NCLEX-RN on the first attempt. After doing the research that correlated 70% as the score, we added scaled scoring to Lippincott® Ready for NCLEX. A raw score of 70% scales to 84% in this product. This reliability offers nurse educators a powerful tool to measure readiness while ensuring their teaching strategies remain aligned with professional requirements.
The research behind CJE-RN
The development of the CJE-RN was guided by an extensive review of nursing research, ongoing collaboration with practicing professionals, and strict adherence to the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM). Each item is designed to mimic scenarios graduates will encounter in practice, embedding evidence-based clinical judgment at its core. Regular psychometric analyses and continuous content updates further enhance the credibility and relevance of the CJE-RN, ensuring it reflects current challenges and expectations in nursing care.
For example, flagged items that do not meet industry-standard metrics, such as proper difficulty levels (p-values) or item-total correlations, are meticulously reviewed, revised, or replaced. This iterative process ensures high fidelity in assessment and maintains an internal consistency reliability score (Cronbach’s alpha) appropriate for high-stakes exams.
Elevating student learning with CJE-RN
The CJE-RN is not just an assessment tool; it is also a learning tool. By emphasizing the six steps of the CJMM — Recognize Cues, Analyze Cues, Prioritize Hypotheses, Generate Solutions, Take Actions, and Evaluate Outcomes — the CJE-RN ensures that students master clinical judgment holistically. Detailed feedback and insights from the exam results allow educators to refine lesson plans and provide targeted support for areas where students struggle.
Additionally, the variety of item types, such as multi-response, matrix, and case studies, simulates real-life nursing complexities, fostering critical thinking and practical application. This engagement with realistic scenarios not only prepares students for the NCLEX-RN but also enhances their confidence and competence in clinical decision-making.
The broader impact on nursing education
The integration of tools like CJE-RN into nursing curricula plays a pivotal role in elevating educational outcomes and ultimately improving patient care. By focusing on real-world applicability, these exams help prepare students to manage the fast-paced, high-stakes environments they will face after licensure. The intentional design of the CJE-RN — rooted in evidence-based practice, collaboration with clinical experts, and adherence to evolving standards — addresses both academic and clinical gaps, ensuring that new nurses are practice-ready.
The takeaway for nurse educators
For nurse educators, the CJE-RN is more than an assessment — it’s a strategic ally in fostering the next generation of competent and confident nurses. Its proven predictive validity and emphasis on clinical judgment skills provide educators with data-driven insights to continually adapt and improve their teaching approaches. By utilizing this exam, you not only align your program with NCLEX-RN standards but also contribute to a broader movement of clinical excellence in healthcare.
Equip your students with the tools they need to succeed. Explore how the CJE-RN can transform your teaching and equip future nurses with skill sets that prepare them for practice.
