What got us here won’t get them there: Reimagining nursing education for today’s learners

Reimagining nursing education: aligning learning environments to prepare practice-ready nurses

Published: April 29, 2026

As healthcare complexity increases and expectations for clinical judgment continue to rise, nursing programs must rethink how they prepare students for practice. This on-demand webinar brings together experienced educators and newly graduated nurses to explore how nursing education has evolved and what must change to meet the needs of today’s learners.

Through a cross-generational dialogue, faculty and novice nurses examine the shift from traditional, content-heavy instruction to approaches that emphasize clinical reasoning, prioritization, and real-world decision-making. The discussion highlights the importance of aligning classroom learning with simulation, lab experiences, and clinical practice to support readiness for the Next Generation NCLEX (NGN) and modern healthcare environments.

Watch the full webinar recording below.

Aligning education with clinical judgment and practice readiness

Nursing education has transitioned from task-based and lecture-driven models to more integrated, competency-based approaches. With the implementation of NGN and the Clinical Judgment Measurement Model (CJMM), faculty are increasingly focused on developing students’ ability to recognize cues, analyze data, prioritize care, and evaluate outcomes.

Panelists emphasized that today’s learners require opportunities to apply knowledge in context through case-based learning, simulation, and guided clinical experiences rather than relying solely on memorization. Simulation and skills labs have evolved from isolated skill practice to immersive, scenario-based learning environments that support decision-making and reflection.

Clinical education has also shifted toward real-time coaching and structured mentorship, helping students translate knowledge into action while developing confidence and adaptability in complex care settings. These changes are essential to bridge the gap between academic preparation and the realities of practice.

Supporting faculty with practical, NGN-aligned strategies

To better prepare students for practice, educators can implement targeted strategies across all learning environments:

• Didactic: Use case studies, unfolding scenarios, and NGN-style questions to promote clinical reasoning

• Lab and Simulation: Integrate skills within realistic patient contexts and emphasize decision-making through structured debriefing

• Clinical Practice: Coach clinical judgment in real time by prompting prioritization, cue recognition, and reflection

Emerging technologies, including AI-supported learning tools, can further enhance personalization and provide insights into student performance, helping faculty identify gaps and tailor instruction.

By aligning teaching strategies across classroom, simulation, and clinical environments, nursing programs can better prepare graduates who are not only successful on the NGN, but also confident, competent, and ready for practice.

Contributors

Dr. Dinez Swanson  Nurse Educator, Elsevier

Dr. Julie Kelly  Nurse Educator, Elsevier

Dr. Hollie Moots  Director of Customer Success in Nursing Education, Elsevier

Kate Bushuk  Canadian Certified Nurse Educator

Susan McCoy  Nurse Educator | Former U.S. Navy Nurse

Robin Wilkerson  Professor Emeritus, University of Mississippi

Natalie Kelly, Mackenzie Moots, Sydney Ryan  Recent Graduate Nurses