According to newly released data from the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN), the annual NCLEX pass rate for 2025 has declined:
- 2025 NCLEX pass rate: 69.1%
- 2024 NCLEX pass rate: 73.3%
- 2023 NCLEX pass rate: 69.7%
This marks the first decrease in pass rates since the introduction of the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) in 2023. For U.S. healthcare employers already struggling with nurse shortages, a lower pass rate means fewer newly licensed registered nurses entering the workforce precisely when demand is at a high point.
The Next Generation NCLEX: A Major Testing Shift
In April 2023, the NCSBN rolled out the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) with the goal of better measuring:
- Clinical judgment
- Real-world decision-making
- Safe, effective patient care
Following this redesign, NCLEX-RN pass rates initially rose:
- 2022 NCLEX-RN pass rate: 63.4%
- 2023 NCLEX-RN pass rate: 69.7%
This significant jump led to debate across the nursing education community. Some critics suggested the NCLEX became easier or that nursing schools were focusing too heavily on “teaching to the test.” However, many nurse educators and chief nursing officers pushed back, emphasizing that:
- Nursing programs had modernized curricula
- Schools had expanded hands-on simulation and clinical training
- Students had better access to NCLEX preparation courses and resources
The improved pass rate in 2023, they argued, reflected stronger preparation, not a weaker exam.
How the Pandemic Set the Stage for Today’s Numbers
To understand the current NCLEX pass rate decline, it’s important to look at the pre‑ and post‑COVID landscape.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, NCLEX pass rates were relatively stable. Between 2016 and 2019, the average pass rate hovered around 72.05%, according to NCSBN data. In 2019 alone, 72.8% of NCLEX-RN candidates passed the exam.
Then the pandemic hit.
From 202 onward, nursing students faced:
- Disrupted clinical rotations
- Reduced in‑person instruction
- Increased stress, burnout, and personal hardship
As a result, NCLEX pass rates fell and kept falling:
- 2022 NCLEX-RN pass rate: 63.4% the lowest in the last decade
In 2024, four chief nursing executives interviewed by Becker’s pointed to the COVID‑19 pandemic’s long shadow as a major driver of these declines. Even as the NGN temporarily boosted numbers in 2023, the 2025 downturn suggests that the pipeline of new nurses is still feeling the aftereffects.
Why Falling NCLEX Pass Rates Matter for U.S. Healthcare Employers
For hospitals, long‑term care facilities, and healthcare systems, the downward trend in NCLEX pass rates has practical consequences:
1. Fewer newly licensed nurses entering the workforce
Each percentage point drop in pass rates represents thousands of potential nurses who are delayed—or lost—from the clinical workforce.
2. Increased pressure on already understaffed units
Units that were counting on new graduates to fill vacancies are now facing extended shortages.
3. Higher risk of burnout among existing staff
When there are fewer incoming nurses, the burden falls on current staff, increasing turnover and retention challenges.
4. More competition for qualified candidates
As the pool of newly licensed RNs shrinks, healthcare organizations must compete more aggressively for a limited number of domestic hires.
This is where international nurse recruitment and strategic immigration planning become essential tools not just stopgaps, but core components of long‑term workforce strategy.
The Role of International Nurses in Closing the Gap
Despite fluctuations in U.S. NCLEX pass rates, demand for experienced, qualified nurses has not slowed. Many healthcare organizations are turning to internationally educated nurses to stabilize staffing and maintain quality of care.
International nurses who seek to practice in the United States must:
- Meet state licensure requirements
- Pass the NCLEX-RN
- Satisfy immigration and visa criteria, often through employment-based visas or immigrant petitions
The advantage for U.S. employers is clear:
- Many international nurses bring years of clinical experience
- They often have strong foundational training and adaptability
- With the right legal and onboarding support, they integrate effectively into U.S. hospital settings
At VisaMadeEZ, we work closely with healthcare systems to align immigration timelines with workforce needs, so that international nurse hiring isn’t a last‑minute reaction, but a planned, sustainable solution.
How VisaMadeEZ Helps Healthcare Organizations Hire International Nurses
As an immigration law firm specializing in healthcare and international nurse recruitment, VisaMadeEZ helps hospitals and healthcare organizations navigate both:
- The complex U.S. immigration system, and
- The unique regulatory environment around hiring foreign-educated nurses
Our services typically include:
1. Immigration Strategy and Visa Planning
We help employers choose the most appropriate pathways, such as:
- Immigrant visas (e.g., employment-based categories for nurses)
- Relevant nonimmigrant visa options where available
- Long‑term strategies that support retention and workforce continuity
We focus on timelines, compliance, and predictability, so organizations can plan staffing with confidence.
2. Coordination With Licensing and NCLEX Requirements
While we are not a nursing school or test prep provider, we understand how licensure and immigration intersect. We:
- Coordinate with employers and candidates to ensure NCLEX timing aligns with immigration steps
- Help organizations understand how NCLEX pass rates and state board requirements affect recruitment planning
- Support documentation and evidence needed to show that the nurse meets U.S. professional standards
3. Compliance and Risk Management
Healthcare immigration is heavily regulated, and mistakes can delay or jeopardize both visas and staffing. We assist with:
- Ensuring compliance with U.S. immigration laws and regulations
- Preparing and filing employment-based petitions
- Advising on work authorization, start dates, and onboarding from an immigration perspective
Turning a Challenging Trend Into a Strategic Opportunity
While the 2025 NCLEX pass rate drop to 69.1% is a concern for U.S. nurse supply, it also highlights the need for proactive, diversified workforce strategies. Relying solely on domestic graduates is no longer enough for many organizations.
By integrating international nurse recruitment with thoughtful immigration planning, healthcare employers can:
- Mitigate the impact of fluctuating NCLEX pass rates
- Reduce dependence on expensive short‑term staffing solutions
- Maintain safe staffing ratios and high-quality patient care
- Build a more resilient, globally diverse nursing workforce
Planning Ahead With VisaMadeEZ
If your hospital or healthcare organization is feeling the effects of declining NCLEX pass rates and ongoing nurse shortages, now is the time to explore international hiring and immigration solutions.
VisaMadeEZ focuses exclusively on healthcare immigration and international nurse hiring, helping employers:
- Understand how changing NCLEX trends affect staffing pipelines
- Develop a realistic immigration roadmap for nurse recruitment
- Navigate the legal, regulatory, and timing challenges involved
To discuss how we can support your organization’s international nurse recruitment strategy, you can reach out to our team for a consultation. We’ll help you turn complex immigration and licensing requirements into a clear, actionable plan tailored to your workforce needs.
