Implementing the Clinical Judgment Model in an Associate Degree Program

• The CJM helps nurse educators to teach sound clinical judgment. • Nurse educators need working strategies to implement the CJM. • The article gives strategies for educators to implement the CJM in an ADN program. In preparation for the Next-Generation NCLEX-RN (NGN), one school adopted the use of the clinical judgment model (CJM) to improve clinical judgment. Faculty needed to ensure students could use good clinical judgment to prepare for the NGN. A planning committee disseminated CJM information to all levels of the program, examined the use of testing items, and addressed the need for materials for various course levels. Care plans were created to model CJM thinking. Students were given CJM cue cards. The testing policy was analyzed and changed. After, a faculty survey was used to determine faculty knowledge and future needs. Faculty gaps were identified so that further remediation could be provided to improve student and faculty knowledge and utilization of the CJM. Additional work is required to ensure that faculty fully understand the CJM so faculty can better teach to improve student success.