Evaluation of an innovative curriculum: nursing education in the next century

Abstract

The present research focused on an interim evaluation of a new nursing curriculum made by first- and second-year undergraduates. Study 1 examined the assessments made by 90 students of the new, actual programme of their studies, as well as an ideal one, on 21 bipolar criteria reflecting the developing changes in health care practices and higher educational processes in western society. The results of study 1 indicated that students perceived the actual programme as compatible with health care changes, but lacking in terms of the learning process. Study 2 investigated the same assessments among 105 registered nurses who evaluated the traditional nursing programme under which they were trained as well as an ideal one. The results of study 2 showed that registered nurses perceived past curricula as lower than the ideal on both health care and process of learning. The results of this interim evaluation imply that the new nursing curriculum follows health care trends, but a shift in the educational process is required.

Integration of Nursing Education, Practice, and Research Through Community Partnerships

“…14 Nursing practice in decades past has emphasized individual patient treatment and care. An evolving healthcare system challenges the nursing field to build models of care that emphasize primary prevention through health education and proactive case management 15 and that consider needs from the population perspective including a proactive role in public policy. The role of nurses within this model of healthcare thus requires leadership at the systems level.…”

“…Public policies and effective management of community health and health promotion programs that are responsive to the needs of multiple stakeholders, and incorporate cost-effectiveness and outcomes-based models of evaluation require that nursing leaders utilize as well as develop evidence-based strategies for education and practice. 15 The cornerstone of leadership in the nursing profession is responsible, adaptable decision-making that is context-specific and is based on a sound conceptual and pragmatic understanding of the implications of clinical evidence and the need for clinically relevant research. 5 Preparing nurses to meet the challenges of leadership, within an emerging healthcare environment directed toward primary, secondary, and tertiary Integration of Nursing Education, Practice, and Research E3 prevention, requires the integration of research, practice, and education.…”

Curriculum Revolution: Implications for Hispanic Nursing Students

“…What is needed today is a curriculum revolution that challenges long-standing traditions and develops new pedagogies. These new pedagogies must be research based, flexible, responsive to diverse student populations, and aligned with the contemporary health care system (Ben-Zur, Yagil, & Spitzer, 1999).…”

Nursing faculty intention to use service learning as pedagogy in higher education

“…The curricular influence on the use of service learning has not been fully explored in the research, only four researchers addressed curriculum (Ben-Zur, Yagil, & Spitzer, 1999;Gelmon et al, 1998;Martin, 1994;Robinson & Barnett, 1996). These researchers did so from two perspectives by asking; what effect did service learning have on the curriculum, or which type of curriculum lends itself to service learning?…”

“…They concluded that a key factor in curricular reform to include service learning is faculty involvement. In a second study, Ben-Zur et al (1999) reported that nursing curriculum changes needed to occur to assist student transition into the projected future healthcare system. However, students were surveyed for this study, not faculty.…”