NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment: Curriculum Design, Regulation, and Accreditation in Nursing Education

Assignment Overview: This week will focus on curriculum design, regulation, and accreditation. Upload your paper/presentation by Sunday night at 11:59 pm Mountain Time.

Assignment Details: There are three parts to assignment. It must address the following information.

Part 1: Regulation of Nursing Programs: In the U.S., State Boards of Nursing regulate nursing education in the respective states. The Colorado Board of Nursing will require that programs also meet the Colorado core curriculum. You will be provided with a BSN nursing curriculum from a state other than Colorado. Using the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies Board of Nursing Regulations for BSN programs and the Colorado core curriculum, determine if the sample program would be approved in Colorado. NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

For the Colorado Core requirements for general studies:

Do the general studies courses in the sample curriculum meet the state of Colorado core requirements?  If not, what is missing.  Be specific.

For the Colorado Board of Nursing, does the sample curriculum meet the requirements for the following:

1. Total credit hours, lecture, lab, simulation, and clinical hours
2. General education core courses
3. Nursing courses/content areas and sequence

• What is your conclusion? Would this program be approved in Colorado?
• If not, what changes would have to be made to meet the Colorado requirements? Be specific.

Part 2: You would also want to seek accreditation from the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE).  Please review the CCNE regulations and address the following: NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

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• Provide a brief overview of the accrediting agency
• Briefly provide the sequence of events required by the accrediting agency for a program to be
• Based on the organization’s accreditation standards for a BSN program, do you think this curriculum meets these standards?
• If not, what changes would have to be made to obtain accreditation by this organization. Be
• Programs must show evidence of a “systematic plan of evaluation.”
  • What is a “systematic plan of evaluation”?
  • Briefly describe the type of data that must be collected and assessed.

Part 3: All regulations and accreditation aside, what do you like about this curriculum and what would you change if you could and why? Identify at least two of each. NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

Resources: In addition to your textbooks or other resources, you must cite the Colorado Board of Nursing rules and regulations and the accrediting agency’s standards.

Format: You can present this as a written paper or a PowerPoint presentation. If you use PowerPoint, be sure that you adequately address all the requirements in the notes section.

Grading: The assignment components will be graded on content, organization, presentation, writing mechanics, and correct APA formatting. NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

NOTE: The documents needed to complete this assignment are embedded in the Week 5 module.

SAMPLE ANSWER: NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

Part 1: Regulation of Nursing Programs

In assessing the BSN nursing curriculum provided from a state other than Colorado against the Colorado core curriculum requirements for general studies, it becomes apparent that some of the general studies courses may not fully align. For example, while the out-of-state curriculum includes courses in English composition and mathematics, it may lack specific courses required by the Colorado core curriculum, such as Colorado history or government. To ensure alignment with Colorado Board of Nursing regulations, adjustments would need to be made to incorporate these missing courses.

Regarding the Colorado Board of Nursing requirements, the sample curriculum appears to meet the stipulated total credit hours, lecture, lab, simulation, and clinical hours. However, further scrutiny is needed to verify if the general education core courses and nursing courses/content areas adhere to Colorado’s standards. There may be discrepancies in course content or sequencing that need to be addressed to ensure compliance.

In conclusion, while the sample program may meet some of the Colorado requirements, additional modifications are necessary to align it fully with the state’s regulations. Specifically, adjustments in the general studies courses and potential revisions to the nursing curriculum may be required. By addressing these deficiencies, the program could potentially be approved in Colorado. NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

Part 2: Accreditation from CCNE NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) is a recognized accrediting agency for nursing education programs. It evaluates programs based on established accreditation standards to ensure quality and integrity in nursing education.

The accreditation process involves several key steps, including program application, self-study submission, an onsite evaluation by a peer review team, and a final decision by the CCNE Board of Commissioners. These steps are designed to assess the program’s compliance with accreditation standards and its ability to meet established educational outcomes.

Upon reviewing CCNE accreditation standards for BSN programs, it appears that the sample curriculum may not fully align with these standards. Areas of concern may include faculty qualifications, student learning outcomes, and program effectiveness. To obtain accreditation from CCNE, the program would need to make specific changes, such as enhancing faculty qualifications, revising curriculum content, and implementing robust assessment strategies.

A “systematic plan of evaluation” refers to a structured approach for collecting and analyzing data to assess program outcomes and effectiveness. This plan typically includes methods for gathering data, such as surveys, interviews, and standardized assessments, as well as processes for analyzing and interpreting the data. By implementing a systematic plan of evaluation, programs can continuously monitor and improve their educational quality and outcomes. NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

Part 3: Evaluation of the Curriculum NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

One aspect of the curriculum that stands out is its comprehensive clinical experiences, which provide students with valuable hands-on learning opportunities in diverse healthcare settings. These experiences enhance students’ clinical skills and prepare them for real-world nursing practice.

However, one area for improvement is the integration of evidence-based practice throughout the curriculum. While the curriculum may touch on evidence-based practice in certain courses, there is a need for greater emphasis and integration across all content areas. By incorporating evidence-based practice principles into every aspect of the curriculum, students can develop critical thinking skills and make informed decisions based on the best available evidence.

In addition, the curriculum could benefit from more interdisciplinary collaboration and interprofessional education opportunities. By engaging with students from other healthcare disciplines, nursing students can gain a deeper understanding of team-based care and develop effective communication and collaboration skills essential for modern healthcare practice. NUR680 Week 5 Written Assignment

In summary, while the curriculum demonstrates strengths in clinical experiences, there is room for improvement in areas such as evidence-based practice integration and interdisciplinary collaboration. By addressing these areas, the curriculum can better prepare students for the challenges of contemporary nursing practice and meet the evolving needs of healthcare delivery.