Vocational Nursing Program Assessment

 

2011-12

 

Program-Level Student Learning Outcomes (PSLOs)

 

At the completion of the Vocational Nursing Program, a student will:

 

  1. Be academically prepared to take and pass the NCLEX-PN examination for licensure as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

  2. Be academically prepared to secure an entry-level position as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

  3. Demonstrate theoretical knowledge and application of technical skills to obtain an entry-level position as a licensed vocational nurse (LVN).

  4. Apply critical thinking skills in the care of medical/surgical, maternity, pediatric, and/or psychiatric clients in
    various clinical settings.

  5. Utilize therapeutic communication skills (oral and written) in a clinical setting that assist the client and family to cope with and resolve problems.

  6. Determine the effects of nursing interventions on the status of clients cared for.

PSLO Assessment Report Summary

 

What we wanted to learn about our students:

 

What Institutional Student Learning Outcomes and/or Program Student Learning Outcomes does this project assess? 

The learning objectives and course content for the LVN core curriculum.

 

What is the research question investigated by this project?

Will the graduating VN students have enough knowledge to adequately pass the NCLEX PN exam?

 

Why is this research question of importance to the program? What background information is needed to understand the rationale for this project?

VN students need to pass the NCLEX PN exam in order to be able to work in the profession. Schools are rated as to how well the students pass the exam and an adequate number of passing scores is need for the nursing board accreditation.

 

What we did:

 

How was the research question investigated? What students were studied?

All of the student who were going to graduate were asked to voluntarily participate in an ATI pre NCLEX test to see how well they retained and had knowledge of the program content. A variety of course content from throughout the program was asked, the test was times and it utilized NCLEX type questions. This data will be later correlated to the actual NCLEX passing scores after the students have taken the NCLEX exam.

 

Were direct, indirect, or qualitative measures used in the assessment?                     

Direct measures of student learning through an assessment of student work.

 

Describe the assessment instrument, the process used for scoring student papers, and give a description of proficiency.

The use of the ATI predictor exam. 

 

What we learned about our students:

 

What are the findings or results of this project? Summarize the data.

Most of the students did very well only two got below the 88% predictability level. The data also showed areas that need to be better instructed, such as continuity of care and emergency response plan. These areas of instruction will need to be added into the curriculum.

 

What do the results mean? What hypothesis is the most plausible explanation for the results? 

The results showed that all but two of the students have an 88% chance or higher of passing the NCLEX PN test as of the testing date in late May. It also showed that some of the areas of instruction needed improving or addition to the VN curriculum.

What we plan to do next to improve student learning:

 

How will the results of this project be used to improve student learning in the program? What is the plan of action? Who is responsible for implementing the action plan and what is the timeline?  The LVN curriculum will be enhanced to include those areas of instruction that were not discussed. In addition, the areas where the students did not do well will be better emphasized for the next and subsequent classes. The new guidelines will be initiated into the upcoming LVN class that will be starting in the fall of 2012.  During the pre-semester, flex, all inclusive instructor meeting, the staff will be advised of the score results and the changes that will be made to the curriculum accommodate the new teachings.