Closing the LoopUNLV School of Nursing

BSN Program

Susan Kowalski, RN, PhDNovember 6, 2008

Academic Assessment Symposium

Our 8 program outcomes are based upon our faculty selected 8 core concepts. The core concepts are aligned with the Essentials of Baccalaureate Education (AACN).

Assessment Plan

Each semester 2 program outcomes are evaluated.

According to our program assessment plan, each program outcome has 3-4 types of assessment measures.

These include: NCLEX results, ERI standardized test scores, various surveys, clinical evaluations by faculty/preceptors and rubric scored capstone papers.

Use of standardized exams and NCLEX allow for comparison with national norms and used for several of our program outcomes and are an important part of our analysis and decision making process.

The NCLEX ExamUses Bloom’s Taxonomy with the majority of items written at

the application level or higher since the practice of nursing requires application of knowledge, skills and abilities.

Content of the exam is organized into 4 major client needs categories:

Safe and Effective Care Environment Management of Care Safety and Infection Control

Health Promotion and Maintenance Psychosocial Integrity Physiological Integrity

Basic Care and Comfort Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies Reduction of Risk Potential Physiological Adaptation

Content is also divided into 4 major fundamental nursing processes which are then integrated throughout the client needs categories.

Nursing Process – the scientific problem-solving approach to care that includes assessment, analysis, planning, implementation and evaluation.

Caring – the interactions between nurse and client in an atmosphere of respect and trust. This is a collaborative environment where the nurse provides encouragement, hope, support and compassion to help achieve desired outcomes.

Communication and Documentation – the verbal/nonverbal interactions between the nurse and client, the client’s significant others and other members of the health care team. Client care is validated in written and/or electronic records that reflect standards of practice and accountability in the provision of care.

Teaching/Learning – the facilitation of the acquisition of knowledge, skills and attitudes promoting behavior change.

Use of NCLEX Scores allow for trending of classes over time and comparison with state and national means. UNLV has 3 graduating classes each year (48-56 graduates per class).

Table IV-B.2 Performance on NCLEX-RN Licensure Examination of Baccalaureate Graduates

 

National first time pass rates 2005 87.2% 2006 88.1% 2007 85.5%

Nevada first time pass rates 2005 81.2% 2006 85.1% 2007 81.1%

UNLV SON first time pass rates 2005 79.8% 2006 83.9% 2007 82.9%  

Use of ERI Exams

The ERI exams give us important feedback that is helpful in identifying specific content areas of our curriculum that may need improvement.

We use the exams for evaluation, and for teaching. As part of the ERI total testing program students receive practice tests, remediation for weak areas, and have monitored exams that are 10% of their course grade.

Exams given throughout programfor learning – and evalution.

Fundamentals Maternal Child Nursing Gerontological Nursing Medical Surgical Nursing Pharmacology Mental Health Nursing Critical Thinking Therapeutic Communication Community Nursing Critical Care Nursing Pre-RN Assessment RN Assessment MOCK NCLEX (Computer Adaptive Test)

Exams matched to Program Outcomes –

Example: Program Outcome #1Utilize the nursing process as a framework

for nursing practice, incorporating critical-thinking skills.

Critical Thinking Exam (3rd semester)RN Assessment Exam (prior to graduation)

– sections on Nursing Process and Critical Thinking

Spring2008 ERIRN Assessment exam =

no = No risk

= At risk

= High risk

Addition of Face to Face NCLEX prep course.

You can imagine how distraught the faculty was when viewing the class composite results for the Spring 08 graduating class – RN Assessment test.

An immediate decision was made based on this data to implement a 4 day NCLEX Prep course.

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Critical C

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Passed Did Not Pass

Changes related to testing

ERI standardized exams are given throughout all levels – we are presently meeting with other testing programs which will give more specific remediation to the student.

75% average on exam policy implemented – Ability to perform well on exams is essential for passing the

NCLEX.

Competitive admissions (points for NET test, selected science and math grades). Our data indicated that students with scores below the national mean on the NET were most often unsuccessful in the program or unable to be successful on the NCLEX.

4 day NCLEX face to face review session for Spring and Summer 08 students – and will be continued. This replaces a previous on-line review course.

Implementation of Simulationas a Teaching Method

To increase skills in critical thinking and clinical judgment as used in the nursing process we have implemented use of simulation in every level.

A simulation team with members from each level are involved in the writing of scenarios and running the scenarios – our goal is to have simulation up to 10% of the clinical experience in each clinical course.

Changes in use of Information Technology

Required PDAs for all students (based on survey from students and faculty after pilot study with optional use).

Use of I-clickers in class – (survey)

Implementation of on-line math calculation course in Level I (survey)

Changes in Content

Based on feedback from ERI tests, we have incorporated more application of pharmacology throughout the curriculum (to augment the 2 patho-pharm courses presented in level 1 and 2), especially in the clinical area.

We have fine tuned content throughout the curriculum.

Spring 2009 Curriculum Revision Planned

2004 – Last Revision (from 5 semesters to 4 semesters)