Practical Strategies for Nursing Education Program Evaluation

Lewallen, Lynne Porter

doi:10.1016/j.profnurs.2014.09.002

Cited by 20 publications

(13 citation statements)

References 12 publications

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“…The theoretical framework of our research was based on previous studies of evaluations in academic environments that suggested a range of variables important for understanding educational programs. Most evaluation studies in academic environments have focused on the curricula, teaching and learning methods, student-faculty interactions, and student outcomes [ 2 , 3 ]. In a previous study, researchers assessed the quality of faculty members according to achievements in education, training, research, and scholarship [ 4 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of an undergraduate occupational health program in Iran based on alumni perceptions: a structural equation model

Mehralizadeh

Dehdashti

Kashani

2017

J Educ Eval Health Prof

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PurposeEvaluating educational programs can improve the quality of education. The present study evaluated the undergraduate occupational health program at the Semnan University of Medical Sciences in Semnan, Iran, with a focus on the associations between alumni perceptions of the learning environment and the outcomes of the occupational health program.MethodsA cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among alumni of the undergraduate occupational health program. We asked alumni to rate their perceptions of the items using a 4-point Likert scale. The associations between alumni perceptions of the educational program and curriculum, faculty, institutional resources, and learning outcomes were modeled and described using structural equation modeling procedures.ResultsA descriptive analysis of alumni perceptions indicated low evaluations for the administrative system, practical and research-based courses, and the number of faculty members. We found that a structural model of the evaluation variables of curriculum, faculty qualifications, and institutional resources significantly predicted undergraduate educational outcomes. The curriculum had direct and indirect effects on learning outcomes, mediated by faculty.ConclusionThe findings of our study highlight the usefulness of the structural equation modeling approach for examining links between variables related to the learning process and learning outcomes. Surveys of alumni can provide data for reassessing the learning environment in the light of the professional competencies needed for occupational health graduates.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Evaluation of an undergraduate occupational health program in Iran based on alumni perceptions: a structural equation model

Mehralizadeh

Dehdashti

Kashani

2017

J Educ Eval Health Prof

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In response to the newly revised standards, it was determined based on program growth that an aggressive approach to adoption needed to be the plan of action. The practical aspects of accomplishing this plan of action are limited in the literature (Lewallen, 2015).Since 2009, our program has demonstrated significant growth, including modification from a four-to a five-semester program. In addition, enrollment has now essentially doubled with admissions of about 60 students each fall and spring semesters.…”

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confidence: 99%

Mastering the Journey to Continuous Compliance

et al. 2016

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The accreditation process of a nursing program requires self-assessment, peer evaluation, and identifying areas of improvement. In 2008, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) began offering a 10-year accreditation with a Continuous Improvement Progress Report (CIPR) at the fifth year. This article focuses on an in-depth analysis of a system in which the school of nursing utilized an ad hoc committee to complete the CIPR. Reports generated by the ad hoc committee concluded that need for improvement was warranted related to policy review. An action plan for continuous compliance generated implementation of policy software and the creation of an academic support specialist position. An ad hoc committee completed the CIPR rather than paying faculty overload hours; policy was an exemplar. Faculty development, team performance, and accountability resulted in a plan for continual compliance that can be adopted in other nursing schools to meet CCNE accreditation.Keywords nursing, behavioral sciences, academics, education, social sciences, educational administration, leadership, and policy, educational measurement and assessment, management education, management 2 SAGE Open p. 18). The CCNE standards were revised in 2013 and became effective on January 1, 2014 (American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 2015). In response to the newly revised standards, it was determined based on program growth that an aggressive approach to adoption needed to be the plan of action. The practical aspects of accomplishing this plan of action are limited in the literature (Lewallen, 2015).Since 2009, our program has demonstrated significant growth, including modification from a four-to a five-semester program. In addition, enrollment has now essentially doubled with admissions of about 60 students each fall and spring semesters. The number of faculty has increased by nine, most of whom have never been involved in a CIPR self-study. It was decided to make the self-study an ongoing process. As a result of this decision, it was determined there was a need to revise the program effectiveness plan (PEP) to demonstrate continuous evaluation. As the CIPR report needed to be written utilizing newly published standards, an Accreditation and Policy/Procedure Ad Hoc Committee was established to complete this task. BackgroundOver the past 30 years, the SON has maintained accreditation status with positive outcomes. The school has grown in the number of students and admission cycles as well as course and graduate offerings. The SON found that what worked in the past for the accreditation process needed to be altered based on the changes in the size and strategic plan of the SON and the university. Current practices needed to change from an informal review to a more formal review.Historically, the SON had relied heavily on two writers for preparation of the CIPR. It was typical for one senior faculty member to be given workload release to assist the dean in this process. The traditional preparation for the report included an ex...

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“…Graduates must complete an approved program of study and successfully pass a national licensure examination before they are allowed to practice nursing, therefore it is a responsibility of nursing programs to ensure graduates are prepared for the licensure exam and to enter the nursing workforce. Effective program evaluation addresses the evolving standards and expectations of local and national regulatory agencies and the standards of professional organizations (Lewallen, 2015). The plan will identify program strengths, needs, drivers for change, and opportunities for improvement.…”

Section: Program Evaluation and Complexity Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Nursing is a practice discipline requiring a carefully constructed and continuously improved curriculum, responsive to changes in the practice of the profession (Matthiesen & Wilhelm, 2006). Effective program evaluation addresses the evolving standards and expectations of local and national regulatory agencies and the standards of professional organizations (Lewallen, 2015). Program evaluation also includes a combination of formative and summative evaluation components, with input from key stakeholders and regulators integrated into the plan (Matthiesen & Wilhelm, 2006).…”

Section: Conclusion Based On Program Improvement Reportsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Seeking success: program improvement plans as a strategy to increase pass rates on the national licensure exam

Wangerin

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Nursing is a practice profession that has long been regarded with esteem and trust by the public. The education of nurses is a process that has evolved over the last 150 years from apprenticeship-based training to an academic program grounded in the arts and sciences. Nurses must successfully learn a rigorous academic curriculum, demonstrate application of knowledge and skills in the clinical setting, and pass a national licensure exam to practice their profession. Boards of nursing are legislated the responsibility of protecting the public by assuring that nurses who practice in their state are safe, competent, and ethical practitioners. This responsibility is implemented through legislated nurse practice acts and administrative rules that define and regulate nursing practice and nursing education. The purpose of this qualitative research study was to identify and articulate best practices that support an increase in National Council Licensure Exam-Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN®) passing percentages of graduates from nursing programs in Iowa. Program improvement documents submitted by nursing education programs demonstrating pass rates below the acceptable benchmark set by the Iowa Board of Nursing were analyzed for organization, structure, and content. Review of the nursing literature, including evidence-based practices and scholarly works, helped to inform the research. Exploration of regulatory practices and related outcomes provided another lens and source of data from which to view practices within Iowa. Complexity theory guided and informed this evaluation research study and was applied by incorporating Daniel L. Stufflebeam's (2003) Context, Input, Process, and Product (CIPP) model as a framework for content analysis of documents. viii This study has provided greater understanding of how nursing programs responded to the Iowa Board of Nursing policy mandate. The knowledge generated supports policy recommendations for improving the percentage of graduates passing the licensure examination within six months of graduation from an approved nursing program. Recommendations for policy, education, and future research are presented.

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Practical Strategies for Nursing Education Program Evaluation

Cited by 20 publications

References 12 publications

Evaluation of an undergraduate occupational health program in Iran based on alumni perceptions: a structural equation model

Evaluation of an undergraduate occupational health program in Iran based on alumni perceptions: a structural equation model

Mastering the Journey to Continuous Compliance

Seeking success: program improvement plans as a strategy to increase pass rates on the national licensure exam

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