Have formal Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs) or Student Learning Outcomes (SLOS) been developed?
YES
Published where? (website)
Do PLOs include or imply link to Core Competency? (AY 2021-2022: Oral Communication)?
SLOs include the expectation that a graduate “Communicates effectively with healthcare providers and consumers in order to assess, plan, implement and evaluate health care.”
Process of Core Competency Assessment:
Course (300 or 400- level)
NURS 457L Leadership and Transition to Practice Practicum
Assignment
20 minute presentation on senior group projects
Type of Student Artifact
Group oral presentation
Rubric or other instrument
GE Rubric for Oral Communication
Data (measurement of the competency)
Two readers from the department undertook evaluations of the student presentations.
There were nine student groups that presented with a total of 2 to 4 students per group (29 individual students total). Each student took turns presenting a portion of their senior leadership project & were evaluated individually. The vast majority of the 29 students presented at or above the “Competent” level in all four categories (i.e., Organization & Structure; Content; Language; & Delivery). All 29 students (100%) were rated at or above the “Competent” level in the Organization & Structure; Content; & Language categories. There were 5 students (~17%) who were rated by one evaluator as at the “Emerging” level in the “Delivery” category. The “Delivery” category defines competency as: “Delivery techniques (gestures, eye contact, vocal expressiveness) are adequate”. Of note, spring 2022 was the first year since 2019 that our students were able to have live, in-person oral presentations of their projects in front of the rest of their peers & three clinical instructors. Many students voiced being “anxious” just before their presentations. Furthermore, students were wearing masks so it was somewhat difficult to fully evaluate some parts of their oral presentation skills (i.e., delivery) such as facial expressions. These factors may have contributed to lower ratings for some students.
Action Taken in Response to the Data (What will you do in response to the Findings?)
To improve students’ oral presentation skills, the course syllabus will require that students rehearse their presentations with their instructors prior to the final presentation day. Feedback regarding areas of needed improvement according to the evaluation rubric will be provided to the students following the rehearsal.
Date of Last Program Review
Nursing is accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN). The most recent review is summarized in the 2016 action letter that notes their next review is in 2023.