NURS FPX 6107 Assessment 3 Curriculum Evaluation

Curriculum Evaluation

The curriculum is the cornerstone of education in any field, and nursing is no exception. A well-designed curriculum is essential for preparing nurses to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry and to deliver quality care to patients (Abedini & Abedini, 2022). It provides a structured and systematic approach to learning and equips nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to succeed in their careers. 

Before considering the evaluation, we need to discuss it with the professional community to gain a deep understanding of the evaluation process. The responsibility of curriculum evaluation can be shared among different groups within the university. An individual faculty member can assess their courses and make suggestions for improvement. A curriculum committee can also evaluate the entire curriculum, considering all the courses offered in the program. Finally, the full faculty can also participate in the evaluation process by providing feedback and suggestions for improvement.

NURS FPX 6107 Assessment 3 Curriculum Evaluation

Curriculum evaluation should be done periodically to ensure that the program is meeting its objectives and to identify areas for improvement. A good practice is to evaluate the curriculum at the end of each academic year or the end of each program cohort, as these are key moments to assess student performance and identify areas for improvement. In addition, before accreditation visits, it’s also an important time to evaluate the curriculum to ensure the program meets accreditation standards.

In revising a curriculum to ensure program outcomes are met, the curriculum committee should consider the evaluation results and make changes to the courses and program structure that align with the program’s goals, for example, adding new courses or modifying existing ones to reflect current practices in the field. Revisions can also include changes to the program’s structure, such as adding clinical hours or increasing the number of online courses. It is important to ensure that revisions are made in a way that does not compromise the overall quality of the curriculum.

Curriculum revision to reflect societal changes can be a complex and lengthy process, as it may require state regulations and accreditation standards to be met (Gouëdard et al., 2020). However, to ensure that the curriculum stays current, the curriculum committee can work with external stakeholders, such as healthcare providers, industry leaders, and technology experts, to identify changes in the field and incorporate them into the curriculum (Porter et al., 2020). The committee can also review literature, attend conferences and workshops, and take online courses to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and practices in the field. In addition, the committee can also conduct regular evaluations of the curriculum to ensure that it reflects the changing needs of society, nursing, and technology.

The importance of curriculum in nursing can be seen from several perspectives. Firstly, the curriculum is critical for ensuring the competence of nurses in the delivery of quality care. Nurses are expected to be knowledgeable about the latest advancements in healthcare, nursing practices, and patient care (Papathanasiou et al., 2018). A well-designed curriculum provides them the necessary education and training to meet these expectations. It also prepares nurses to handle complex situations and make informed decisions, which is essential for providing safe and effective care (Papathanasiou et al., 2018).

Meanwhile, the curriculum is essential for the development of nursing professionals. It helps them to acquire new knowledge, skills, and competencies and to expand their professional expertise. Nurses can stay up-to-date with the latest developments in their field and remain at the forefront of patient care. Through their education and training, they can also identify areas where they need to improve and enhance their skills and competencies.

Also, the curriculum is important for advancing the nursing profess. By ensuring the competence of nurses, the quality of patient care improves, and the nursing profession gains credibility and recognition. The curriculum also provides a common foundation of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that nurses can build upon throughout their careers. This foundation enables nurses to collaborate effectively with other healthcare professionals and to provide high-quality patient care. It is an essential component of nursing education and is critical for nurses’ success in their careers. Providing a structured and systematic approach to learning equips nurses with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes necessary to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry and to provide quality patient care. Thus, nursing curricula must be well-designed, regularly evaluated, and updated to ensure the competence of nurses and the advancement of the nursing profession.

An Overview of the Curriculum

The nursing curriculum designed for Capella University in Minneapolis, MN is built to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to excel as nursing professionals in the ever-evolving healthcare industry. The curriculum focuses on developing a strong foundation of nursing informatics and the knowledge necessary to deliver quality patient care. The course content is designed to equip students with the latest tools, technologies, and best practices in nursing, and the curriculum is tailored to meet the changing needs of the healthcare industry.

Framework and Analysis:

The curriculum is built on the foundation of nursing informatics and the knowledge necessary for nursing practice. It is designed to align with the mission, philosophy, and framework of the parent institution and program, as well as to comply with state regulations and accreditation standards. The curriculum is structured to address the changing needs of society, nursing, healthcare delivery, healthcare needs, educational practice, learner diversity, and emerging technology.

Course Development and Influencing Factors:

The curriculum was developed collaboratively between faculty members, stakeholders, and external agencies, including regulatory and accrediting bodies. The development process was influenced by internal factors such as organizational processes, curriculum committees, and internal review bodies, as well as external factors such as funding, stakeholders, and regulatory and accrediting agencies.

Curriculum Evaluation

Curriculum evaluation examines the curriculum to determine its effectiveness and make any necessary changes to improve its quality. It is an ongoing process that occurs periodically to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and meets the needs of the students and stakeholders. Critical criteria are considered in curriculum evaluation, including alignment with program outcomes, curriculum content, teaching and learning strategies, student performance, and program resources. Pilot testing can be used as a tool for evaluating the curriculum. This involves testing the curriculum with a small group of students to determine its effectiveness before implementing it on a larger scale. Both short-term and long-term evaluations are important to curriculum development. Short-term evaluations are used to make immediate improvements to the curriculum, while long-term evaluations are used to make larger changes that require more time to implement. Meanwhile, accreditation bodies are organizations that evaluate and accredit educational programs. In the case of nursing education, a school of nursing might be accredited by CCNE (Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education) or ACEN (Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing). The accreditation body evaluates the program based on specific criteria to ensure it meets minim quality standards. The results of the accreditation evaluation should be applied to improve the program and maintain its accreditation status (ACEN, 2022).

Importance of Curriculum Evaluation

Curriculum evaluation is important because it provides a systematic and ongoing process to assess the quality and effectiveness of a curriculum (Peter, 2019). It helps to identify areas of strength and weakness and determine whether the curriculum is meeting its intended goals and objectives. Regular evaluation ensures the curriculum remains current and relevant, reflecting changes in society, technology, and healthcare delivery. Additionally, curriculum evaluation provides valuable feedback to faculty and instructors, allowing them to improve their teaching methods and better support student learning. The results of curriculum evaluation can also be used to justify resource allocation, demonstrate accountability, and meet accreditation standards. Ultimately, curriculum evaluation helps to ensure that the curriculum prepares students to effectively and competently meet the changing demands of their future careers.

Ongoing curriculum evaluation is essential in ensuring the relevance, effectiveness, and quality of the nursing education program. The evaluation process helps to identify areas that need improvement and make necessary changes to meet the evolving needs. It is also crucial to ensure that program outcomes are met and that the curriculum aligns with the mission, philosophy, and framework of the parent institution and nursing profession.

Curriculum evaluation is important for all stakeholders involved in the education process, including faculty, students, healthcare providers, and accrediting bodies. For faculty, the evaluation process provides opportunities for continuous professional development and helps them stay current in the field. For students, it ensures they receive a relevant and high-quality education that prepares them for the rapidly changing healthcare environment. It helps healthcare providers ensure that graduates have the necessary knowledge, skills, and competencies to provide safe and effective patient care.

Nonetheless, ongoing curriculum evaluation is a critical component of nursing education that helps ensure that the curriculum remains current, relevant, and of high quality. By involving all stakeholders and conducting regular evaluations, Capella University can continue to provide its students with a top-notch education that prepares them for successful careers in nursing.

Criteria for Curriculum Evaluation

Curriculum evaluation is an important aspect of ensuring the educational program meets the desired goals and objectives. Various criteria are considered during the evaluation process. First and foremost, the alignment of the curriculum with the program outcomes and mission of the institution is crucial. This means ensuring that the course content, learning objectives, and assessments are consistent with the overall goals and objectives of the program. Student learning and satisfaction are other important criteria for evaluation. This can be assessed through various methods, such as course evaluations, exit interviews, and examination results. Evaluating student learning and satisfaction can help in identifying areas for improvement in terms of teaching methods, course content, and assessments. Thirdly, the currency and relevance of the curriculum are critical. The nursing profession constantly evolves, and the curriculum must reflect the latest trends, developments, and best practices. Lastly, the effectiveness of the teaching and learning process is an important factor to be considered during curriculum evaluation. This includes assessing the effectiveness of instructional methods, resources, and assessments in promoting student learning and achieving desired outcomes.

Other evaluation criteria that are important as well are relevance to current and future health care needs because it is important to evaluate the curriculum to ensure that it is preparing students to meet the needs of current and future health care environments. This may involve keeping up-to-date with new technology, treatments, and practices in the nursing field. Another criterion is student satisfaction and feedback. Meanwhile, the curriculum should be evaluated to determine whether the program’s learning outcomes are being met. This may involve analyzing student performance on exams, clinical evaluations, and other assessment forms. On the other hand, accreditation standards should also be considered when evaluating the curriculum to ensure that the program meets the standards set by the accrediting bodies. This can help ensure the program remains in good standing with accrediting agencies.

NURS FPX 6107 Assessment 3 Curriculum Evaluation

These criteria play a crucial role in ensuring that the curriculum offered by the program is effective, relevant, and meets the needs of both the students and the industry. Evaluating the curriculum against these criteria can help in identifying areas for improvement and making necessary changes to ensure that the program is providing the best possible education to its students.

Pilot Testing of Curriculum Evaluation

Pilot testing is a form of evaluation in which a small sample of a new or revised curriculum is tested before full implementation to determine its effectiveness and identify any necessary improvements (Blog, 2021). It allows educational institutions to assess the feasibility and outcomes of the curriculum and make any necessary modifications before it is rolled out to the entire student population. Pilot testing provides valuable insights into how students will respond to the curriculum and help to ensure the quality of the educational experience for all students.

A pilot test for curriculum evaluation can be used to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of the newly developed curriculum before it is fully implemented. The following steps can be taken to plan a pilot test:

1. Determine the objectives and goals of the pilot test: Before conducting the pilot test, the objectives and goals of the test should be clearly defined. This will help determine what data is needed and what outcomes are expected from the test.
2. Select a representative sample of students: A representative sample of students should be selected for the pilot test. The sample should be large enough to provide meaningful data yet small enough to be manageable.
3. Identify appropriate course materials: The course materials used in the pilot test should be identified and selected. These materials should reflect the changes and revisions made to the curriculum and should represent the final product.
4. Plan the testing schedule: The pilot test and the testing schedule should be established. The schedule should allow enough time for students to complete the course and provide feedback.
5. Administer the test: The pilot test should be administered to the selected sample of students. The students should be provided with clear instructions and should be asked to complete the course and provide feedback.
6. Analyze the results: The results of the pilot test should be analyzed to determine if the objectives and goals of the test have been met. The data collected should be analyzed to determine if the curriculum is effective and feasible.
7. Revise the curriculum: Based on the pilot test results, the curriculum should be revised to ensure the program outcomes are met.

An example of successful pilot testing would be a pilot test conducted for the nursing informatics course. A representative sample of students would be selected, and the revised curriculum would be administered to these students. The test results would be analyzed to determine if the objectives and goals of the test have been met. Based on the results, the curriculum could be revised to ensure program outcomes are met. Pilot testing a nursing informatics course involves conducting a trial run of the course before it is implemented on a larger scale. This process can help identify any issues with the content, delivery method, or assessment of the course and make necessary changes before it becomes a permanent part of the curriculum.

Short-Term and Long-Term Evaluations Plan

Short-term plans refer to objectives or goals to be achieved within a short period, typically less than one year. They focus on immediate goals and aim to solve pressing problems and meet current needs (Griffin, 2021). Examples of short-term plans include completing a specific project, setting a deadline for a specific task, and planning an event.

Long-term plans refer to objectives or goals to be achieved over a longer period, usually one year or more. They focus on future goals and aim to achieve a long-term vision or mission. Long-term plans often involve a more comprehensive approach and consider multiple factors that may impact their achievement. Examples of long-term plans include career development, financial planning, and strategic planning for organizations.

Short-term and long-term evaluations serve different purposes in curriculum development and improvement. Short-term evaluations, also known as formative evaluations, provide ongoing feedback on the effectiveness of the curriculum and help identify areas that need improvement. Long-term evaluations, or summative evaluations, provide a comprehensive assessment of the curriculum and its impact on student outcomes.

Short-term evaluations can include surveys, focus groups, and other methods that collect feedback from students, faculty, and other stakeholders about the curriculum. This feedback can be used to make adjustments in real-time, ensuring that the curriculum remains relevant and effective. For example, a short-term evaluation of a nursing informatics course could involve administering a survey to students at the end of each module to gather feedback on the content and delivery of the course.

Long-term evaluations assess the overall impact of the curriculum on student outcomes and may involve collecting data on graduation rates, employment outcomes, and other metrics. For example, a long-term evaluation of a nursing informatics course could involve analyzing data on the number of graduates who have gone on to use technology in their nursing practice and evaluating their satisfaction with the training they received.

A process for implementing both short-term and long-term evaluations could involve the following steps:

1. Develop evaluation goals and objectives: Clearly define what the evaluations aim to achieve, such as identifying areas for improvement, assessing the impact of the curriculum on student outcomes, etc.
2. Select evaluation methods: Choose methods that are appropriate for the goals and objectives of the evaluations, such as surveys, focus groups, and data analysis.
3. Gather data: Conduct evaluations and collect data from students, faculty, and other stakeholders.
4. Analyze data: Analyze the data to identify patterns and areas for improvement.
5. Make recommendations: Based on the results of the evaluations, make recommendations for improvement, and revise the curriculum accordingly.

Short-term and long-term evaluations are both important in curriculum development and improvement. Combining ongoing feedback and comprehensive assessments helps ensure the curriculum remains relevant and effective and achieves its intended outcomes.

Improving Curriculum Design

Integrating evidence-based nursing concepts, theories, and best practices into curriculum development can significantly improve the quality of education provided to nursing students. Evidence-based practices use current, relevant,  high-quality research findings to inform clinical decision-making and patient care (Turner, 2022).

Examples of nursing concepts that can be incorporated into curriculum development include patient-centered care, interdisciplinary teamwork, and the use of technology (Greiner & Knebel, 2020). Patient-centered care emphasizes the importance of considering the individual needs, preferences, and values of patients in the delivery of care. Interdisciplinary teamwork involves collaboration among health care professionals from different disciplines to improve patient outcomes (Zajac et al., 2021). The use of technology, such as electronic health records and telehealth, can enhance patient care and increase efficiency.

Meanwhile, nursing theories that can inform curriculum development include Orem’s Self-Care Deficit Theory and Roy’s Adaptation Model. Orem’s theory focuses on the patient’s ability to care for themselves and the nurse’s role in facilitating self-care. Roy’s Adaptation Model stresses the importance of considering the patient’s adaptation to illness and the environment in care delivery (Khademian et al., 2020).

Similarly, the best practices in nursing include hand hygiene, pain management, and fall prevention (Martos-Cabrera et al., 2019). Hand hygiene is essential in preventing the spread of infection, while effective pain management is crucial in improving patient outcomes and satisfaction (Martos-Cabrera et al., 2019). Fall prevention strategies, such as bed alarms and patient monitoring, can reduce the risk of patient falls and improve patient safety (LeLaurin & Shorr, 2019). Incorporating these evidence-based nursing concepts, theories, and best practices into curriculum development can ensure that nursing students are exposed to current and relevant information and practices, leading to better-prepared and competent nurses.

Accreditation Body for the Curriculum

An Accreditation Body is an organization responsible for evaluating and certifying the quality, credibility, and competency of educational institutions, programs, and services. The accreditation aims to promote and maintain education standards and ensure that educational programs and services meet specific quality criteria. Accreditation bodies can be recognized by national or international authorities and are responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and monitoring the quality of educational institutions, programs, and services. The accreditation process involves a comprehensive review of the institution’s or program’s policies, practices, and outcomes, as well as a self-study by the institution or program and a site visit by the accrediting body. The accreditation process results can lead to the award of accreditation status, which can indicate to students, employers, and other stakeholders that the institution or program meets certain quality standards.

The appropriate accreditation body for Capella University’s nursing curriculum would be the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE). The CCNE evaluates nursing education programs to ensure they meet standards that ensure quality and excellence in nursing education (CCNE, 2018).

The CCNE’s evaluation criteria include the following:

1. Mission and governance: The program should have a clearly defined mission and governance structure that aligns with the parent institution.
2. Curriculum: The curriculum should be designed to meet the needs of the students and the healthcare environment and be updated to reflect changes in the field.
3. Faculty: The faculty should be qualified, experienced, and committed to student learning and professional development.
4. Students: The program should admit students with the necessary academic and personal qualifications to succeed in nursing education.
5. Assessment and evaluation: The program should have a systematic process for evaluating student learning outcomes and using the results for continuous improvement.
6. Resources: The program should have the resources to support student learning and faculty development.

The results of the accreditation evaluation should be applied to improve the quality of the nursing education program. The program should address identified weaknesses and continually strive to meet or exceed accreditation standards. The evaluation results should also be communicated to stakeholders, including students, faculty, and the broader healthcare community, to demonstrate the program’s commitment to quality and excellence in nursing education.

Conclusion

Curriculum evaluation is crucial in ensuring the relevance, effectiveness, and quality of nursing education programs. Using various evaluation criteria, such as alignment with program outcomes, student learning and satisfaction, currency and relevance of the curriculum, and effectiveness of the teaching and learning process, ongoing curriculum evaluation can identify areas for improvement and make necessary changes. Pilot testing is a form of evaluation that provides valuable insights into the effectiveness and feasibility of a newly developed curriculum before it is fully implemented. With proper planning and execution, pilot testing can help ensure the quality of the educational experience for all students. By involving all stakeholders and conducting regular evaluations, educational institutions can continue to provide high-quality education that prepares students for successful careers in nursing.

NURS FPX 6107 Assessment 3 Curriculum Evaluation

References

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ACEN. (2022). ACEN accreditation manual – general information – Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. https://www.acenursing.org/acen-accreditation-manual-general-information/ 

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CCNE. (2018). CCNE: Who We Are. Aacnnursing.org. https://www.aacnnursing.org/CCNE-Accreditation/Who-We-Are 

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