DON Program Evaluation Plan 1
Western Carolina University
College of Applied Sciences
Department of Nursing
Program Assessment Plan for Academic Year 2006-2007
Department:
Programs:
Name of Person Completing Report:
Nursing
BSN and MSN
Vincent P. Hall, PhD, RN
Head, Department of Nursing
207 Moore Building
Phone: 7467
Email: hallv@wcu.edu
Department Mission Statement:
The Department of Nursing adheres to and supports the mission of Western Carolina
University. The Department prepares professional nurses at the baccalaureate and graduate levels
to address the health care needs of diverse populations in the region. In accordance with its
teaching mission, the Department provides a scholarly atmosphere that stimulates service,
research, and creative activities by its faculty and students.
Alignment of Program Mission with University and College Mission:
The Department of Nursing provides quality nursing education at the baccalaureate and
graduate level. The primary responsibility of the department is teaching while at the same time
providing an atmosphere that supports faculty and student service, scholarly activity, and
engagement with the region. This is consistent with the missions of the University and College of
Applied Sciences.
BSN Program Student Learning Outcomes:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Base practice on current knowledge, theory, and research.
Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for practice.
Advocate for clients and the nursing profession.
Practice effectively across a variety of settings and with diverse populations.
Serve as a member and leader within interdisciplinary health care teams.
Form partnerships with clients and with other health care professionals.
Provide health education to clients and peers.
Manage human and material resources within the health care system.
Participate in political and regulatory processes that affect the health and well being of
society.
10. Assume responsibility for life-long learning and professional career development.
DON Program Evaluation Plan 2
MSN Program Student Learning Outcomes:
1. Synthesize concepts and theories from nursing and related disciplines to form the
basis for advanced practice.
2. Analyze socio-cultural, ethical, economic and political issues that influence
patient/client and community outcomes.
3. Utilize the process of scientific inquiry to validate and refine knowledge and
research relevant to advanced practice nursing.
4. Demonstrate expertise in a defined area of advanced practice.
5. Integrate health promotion and disease prevention concepts in advanced practice
nursing.
6. Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and an understanding of human diversity in
delivery of health care across the lifespan.
7. Demonstrate proficiency in the use and management of advanced technology
related to a defined area of advanced practice nursing.
8. Demonstrate the ability to engage in multidisciplinary professional relationships in
the conduct of advanced practice.
Evaluation Plan:
In order to meet standards for our accrediting bodies, the Council on Collegiate Nursing
Education (CCNE), the Council on Accreditation of Nursing Anesthesia Programs (COA), and
our approval body, the NC Board of Nursing (NCBON), a new program evaluation plan for the
department was developed in 2001 and implemented in September of that year. The evaluation
plan is outcome-based, inclusive of our BSN and MSN programs, and reflects the requirements of
CCNE, COA, and the NCBON for total program evaluation. The evaluation (assessment) plan is
reviewed and revised each year and appears on the next page.
DON Program Evaluation Plan 3
Western Carolina University
College of Applied Sciences
Department of Nursing
Program Evaluation Plan for BSN and MSN
Outcome
1. The Mission,
Philosophy,
and Terminal
Outcomes of
the BSN and
MSN Programs
are congruent
with those of
the University
and the
Department of
Nursing
(DON) faculty
beliefs and
goals.
2. BSN &
MSN programs
are logically
organized,
internally
consistent, and
based on the
Areas of
Evaluation
BSN & MSN
Philosophy,
Conceptual
Framework
(CF),
Terminal and
Level
Outcomes
A.
Curriculum
Plan
Indicators
(When
Applicable)
A. BSNapproval by
NC State
Board of
Nursing
(NCSBN)
Timeframe:
Data Collection
Individual(s)
Responsible
Methodology
Evaluation/
Development of
Recommendations
At least
every 5
years
(Beginning
of academic
year -2000,
2005)
Curriculum
Committee
(CC)
Content analysis done
by CC or designated
subgroups of CC.
CC
B. BSN &
MSNAccreditatio
n by CCNE
(compliance
with
standards)
A. BSNapproval by
NCSBN
Decision-Making
Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementatio
n of any
changes and
re-evaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
A. At least
every 5
years
(Beginning
of academic
year -2000,
2005)
A. CC
A. CC or designated
subgroup of CC will
review the curriculum
plan at least every 5
years or more
frequently as needed.
A. CC
Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementatio
n of any
changes and
re-evaluation
DON Program Evaluation Plan 4
Philosophy,
CF, and
Terminal
Outcomes.
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
B. Individual
Courses
B. BSN &
MSNAccreditatio
n by CCNE
(compliance
with
standards)
B. As
needed
B. Any
faculty or
Level Team
B. Level
B. Proposed changes
Teams and/or
in individual courses
CC
originate at the team
level. Proposed
substantive changes
(i.e., changes in course
description,
objectives, or
significant changes in
content) are referred to
the CC.
DON Program Evaluation Plan 5
Outcome
3. BSN &
MSN Programs
reflect current
professional
standards and
practice
guidelines as
well as those of
the
communities of
interest.
Areas of
Evaluation
Indicators
(When
Applicable)
A. BSNA. AACN
Essentials for approval by
Baccalaureate NCSBN
and Masters
Nursing
Education,
NCBON
Approval
Standards
and Practice
Act, ANA
Standards of
Clinical
Nursing
Practice and
AP Nursing,
NONPF
Criteria for
Evaluation of
NP Programs,
AANP
Standards of
Practice,
SREB Nurse
Education
Guidelines,
COA/CRNA
Standards.
Timeframe:
Data Collection
A. At least
every 5 years
(Beginning
of academic
year -2000,
2005)
Individual(s)
Responsible
A. CC
Methodology
Development of
Decision-Making
Recommendations
A. CC
A. CC or designated
subgroup will perform
content analysis on
curriculum plans and
content at least every 5
years to ensure
compliance with
standards.
Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementatio
n of any
changes and
re-evaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
DON Program Evaluation Plan 6
B.
1) DON
Advisory
Council
2)
Department
Head's
Student
Advisory
Council
B. BSN &
MSNAccreditatio
n by CCNE
(compliance
with
standards)
B.
1) Annually
2) Annually
B.
Department
Head
B. Department Head
completes content
analysis on
minutes/report from
respective council
meetings and presents
to faculty on annual
basis.
B.
Department
Head
DON Program Evaluation Plan 7
Outcome
4. Course
content and
teaching/learn
ing practices
contribute to
fulfillment of
course
objectives,
level
outcomes &
Program
Terminal
Outcomes.
Areas of Evaluation
Indicators
(When Applicable)
Timeframe:
Data
Collection
Individual(s)
Responsible
A. NCLEX
Program Report
A. 50th percentile or
better for categories
within each content
dimension of the
test plan.
A.
Annually
A. CC
B. ATI Exam
B. 65th percentile or
> student group
performance on
Institutional Profile
B.
Annually
B. CC
C. Course
Evaluations
C. Semiannually or
annually
C. Level Team
Methodology
Development of
Decision-Making
Recommendations
A. & B. CC
A. & B. CC reviews
NCLEX Program
Report. Categories
where student group
performance falls
below the 50th
percentile* will be
analyzed for possible
causes and solutions.
CC reviews ATI data.
When student group
performance falls
below 65th percentile
compared to bachelor
norm group*, data will
be analyzed for
possible causes and
solutions. (* over 2
year period)
C. Level Teams
perform course
evaluation based on
student course
evaluation data and
student performance.
Proposed substantive
changes (i.e., changes
A. & B.
Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementatio
n of changes
and reevaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
C. Level Team
C. Level
Teams and/or for minor
changes or
CC
Faculty
Organization
for substantive
changes who
direct
DON Program Evaluation Plan 8
in course description,
objectives, or
significant changes in
content) are referred to
the CC.
implementation
of changes and
re-evaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
5. Clinical
facilities
provide
experiences
that assist in
meeting BSN
& MSN
course
objectives and
Program
Terminal
Outcomes.
Clinical Course
Evaluations
Semiannually or
annually
Level Team
Level Teams perform Level Teams
clinical course
evaluations based on
student and faculty
evaluation data.
Changes that involve
the use of new
facilities where agency
contracts must be
Level Team
directs
implementation
of changes and
re-evaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
DON Program Evaluation Plan 9
Outcome
Areas of Evaluation
Indicators
(When Applicable)
Timeframe:
Data
Collection
5. (cont.)
6. Graduating
students,
alumni, and
employers are
satisfied with
the BSN and
MSN
program.
Alumni Surveys:
A. Graduating
BSN Seniors
B. BSN Alumni
(1 & 5 yrs.)
C. Graduating
MSNs
D. MSN Alumni
(1 & 5yrs.)
80% or greater
satisfaction rate on
all alumni surveys.
A. May
B. Summer
C. August
D. Summer
Individual(s)
Responsible
Methodology
Development of
Decision-Making
Recommendations
Negotiated are referred
to the Department
Head. Level team
faculty and/or
Department Head
negotiate proposed
changes within
contracted clinical
facilities on a case-bycase basis or at annual
clinical agency
meetings.
Undergraduate Distributed by
CC, AA, or
and Graduate
secretaries, alumni
IR
Secretaries at
affairs, or IR at times
month of
noted in column 2. CC,
graduation and AA, IR analyzes and
1 year. Alumni summarizes data as
Affairs (AA) at appropriate.
5 years (2000,
2005, 2010,
etc.).
Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementatio
n of changes
and reevaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
DON Program Evaluation Plan 10
Employer Surveys
(every 5 years)
80% or greater
satisfaction rate on
all employer
surveys.
DON Advisory
Council
7. BSN and
MSN students
are able to
fulfill level
and program
terminal
outcomes.
November
(2000,
2005,
2010, etc.)
Institutional
Research (IR)
Annually
Department
Head
Content analysis on
minutes/report from
council meeting with
presentation to faculty
on annual basis.
Department
Head
A. Student
Affairs
Committee
(SAC)
A. SAC reviews
potential student
application packets.
Applicants are scored
and ranked based on
A. (cont.) criteria.
Qualified students are
offered admission
Remainder of
applicants placed on
waiting list. Capstone
Faculty reviews
application packets for
RN to BSN option on
an ongoing basis;
admission
recommendations are
made to SAC as
A. SAC
BSN Students:
A. Admission
Criteria
A. -Cumulative
GPA 2.75 or > PreLicensure (PL).
2.5 or > Capstone
A.Annually
(Fall for
PL
students).
A. (cont.)
A. (cont.)
-Completion of all
-Ongoing
Major Requirements (Capstonewith a C (2.0) or >
RN to
-60 or > semester
BSN)
hours of college
credit
-PL students:
competitive Verbal
SAT scores and
Essay Question
Score
A. SAC
DON Program Evaluation Plan 11
necessary.
B. Retention Rates
C. Graduation
Rates
B. -90% or >
retention rate
(PL students)
-Enrolled in at least
2 WCU courses per
year (Capstone)
C. 90% or >
graduation rate
(within 2 years for
PL students, 5 years
Capstone)
B.
Biannually
C.
Annually
B. Level Team
C. SAC
B. Level Teams review B. Level
student group progress Team, CC,
or SAC
at the end of each
semester. Student
attrition for academic
reasons is analyzed
individually and
collectively for
patterns. Any
proposals that involve
changes in curriculum
or admission processes
are made to the CC or
SAC respectively.
C. SAC reviews
graduation rate data.
Any proposals that
involve changes in
curriculum or
admission processes
are made to the CC or
faculty respectively.
C. CC or
SAC
B., C., D., &
E. Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementatio
n of changes
and reevaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation
DON Program Evaluation Plan 12
Outcome
7. (cont.)
Areas of Evaluation
Indicators
(When Applicable)
Timeframe:
Data
Collection
Individual(s)
Responsible
Methodology
Development of
Decision-Making
Recommendations
D. NCLEX Pass
Rates
D. 90% or > firsttime pass rate
D.
Annually
D. CC
D.CC analyzes
NCLEX Performance
Report and Individual
Candidate Reports
from unsuccessful
candidates for patterns
and deficiencies.
D. CC
E. Employment
Rates
-Graduating
Seniors
-BSN Alumni
(1 year)
E. 95% or >
employment rate in
nursing
E.
Annually
E. AA
E. AA analyzes
graduate & alumni
surveys for rates and
types of employment.
A report of findings is
developed and
presented to faculty on
an annual basis.
E. AA
A. -BSN from
nationally
accredited nursing
program
-GPA 3.0 on 4.0
scale last 60 hours
Undergrad.
Work or 2.85 on 4.0
A.
Annually
(Fall)
A. SAC
A. SAC or subgroup
A. SAC
reviews applicant pool.
Applicants are scored
and ranked. Qualified
applicants are offered
admission. Admission
of qualified students
continues until seats
MSN Students:
A. Admission
Criteria
A. SAC
DON Program Evaluation Plan 13
scale cumulatively
-GRE scores:
Combined Verbal
and Quant. of 850,
minimum 400
Verbal, Analytic 4.0
-Intro. Statistics
course
-Undergraduate
Research course
-RN with NC
licensure
-1 year or > clinical
nursing experience
as RN
B. Retention Rates
B. 85% or >
retention rate
are filled prior to
beginning academic
year.
B.
Annually
B. Graduate
Level Team
B. Level Team reviews B. Level
student group progress Team, CC,
or SAC
at the end of each
semester. Student
attrition for academic
reasons is analyzed
individually and
collectively for
patterns. Any
proposals that involve
changes in curriculum
or
B., C., D., &
E. Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementation
of changes and
re-evaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
DON Program Evaluation Plan 14
Outcome
Areas of Evaluation
Indicators
(When Applicable)
Timeframe:
Data
Collection
Individual(s)
Responsible
Methodology
Development of
B., C., D., & E.
(cont.) year
interval after
implementation.
B. (cont.) admission
processes are made to
the CC or SAC
respectively.
7. (cont.)
Decision-Making
Recommendations
C. Graduation
Rates
C. 85% or >
graduation rate
(within 3 years)
C.
Annually
C. Graduate
Director
C. Graduate Director
reviews graduation
rate data. Any
proposals that involve
changes in curriculum
or admission processes
are made to the CC or
SAC respectively.
C. Graduate
Director
D. –Competency
Exams
-Research Project
or Thesis Defense
-Certification
Exam Pass Rates
(ANCC and/or
AANP)
-Nurse Educator
(NE) (NLN)
Certification Exam
D. –Successful
completion of
Competency Exams
-Successful defense
of Research Project
or Thesis
-90% or > first time
pass rate for FNP or
NE exam (2 years
post graduation –
optional)
D.
Annually
D. Graduate
Director
D. Graduate Director
distributes selfaddressed/stamped
cards for MSN
graduates to report
exam status. Upon
return of cards,
Director conducts
random interviews
with graduates (appx.
20-30% of class) to
determine their
D. Graduate
Director
DON Program Evaluation Plan 15
E. Employment
Rates-Graduating
MSN
-MSN Alumni
(1 year)
8. Library
collection and
Learning Lab
Facilities
support the
achievement
of BSN &
MSN
outcomes.
E. 80% or >
employment rate as
FNP in primary care
setting or as Nurse
Educator in
appropriate setting.
E.
Annually
E. Graduate
Director
A. Library
holdings
A. Additions
to
collection annually.
Review of
entire
collection at least
every five
years
A. Nursing
Faculty
Library
Liaison
(NFLL) (1
Cullowheebased, 1 Enkabased)
B. Learning Lab
supplies and
equipment
B.
Annually
B. Level
Directors
perception of program
effectiveness.
E. Graduate Director
analyzes graduate &
alumni surveys for
rates and types of
employment. A report
of findings is
developed and
presented to faculty on
an annual basis.
A. NFLL reviews
newly published
literature; seek input
from faculty on
collection needs, and
compiles list of
recommendations.
Review of entire
collection is done in
conjunction with
collection supervisor at
library. NFLL may
designate individuals
or subgroups to review
holdings.
B. Level Directors or
designee(s) examine
learning lab needs.
E. Graduate
Director
A. NFLL
A. Faculty
organization.
B. Level
Directors
B. Department
Head in
conjunction
with Level
Directors
DON Program Evaluation Plan 16
9. Faculty
accomplishme
nts are
congruent
with the
mission,
philosophy,
and terminal
outcomes of
the DON.
Annual Faculty
Evaluation (AFE)
Documents and
Annual Review of
Faculty Activities
Documentation
A. Teaching: # of
advisees,
thesis/project
committees
(member or
supervised)
B. Service: # of
Departmental,
College, University
committees. # of
memberships/
offices in
professional
associations or
honor societies. # of
student recruitment
activities. # of
community service
activities
C. Research/
Creative Works: #
of refereed or nonrefereed
publications,
textbooks or
chapters,
professional
conference papers
and presentations,
journal manuscripts
reviewed, externally
Annually
April/May
Department
Head & FA
Department Head &
FA reviews documents
submitted by faculty
for AFE process;
within the framework
of teaching, service,
scholarship, &
practice, the data is
analyzed as an
aggregate for
congruency. A report
of findings is compiled
and presented to
faculty.
Department
Head & FA
Department
Head/Faculty
Organization,
who direct
implementation
of changes and
re-evaluation
timeframe at a
one and/or two
year interval
after
implementation.
DON Program Evaluation Plan 17
funded grant
applications
written/received.
D. Practice: # and
type of practice
activities. # and type
of professional
credentials/
Certifications.
VPH; 8/01: Approved by Department of Nursing Faculty; 9/01
Revised VPH; 3/02: Revision Approved by Faculty; 4/02; Reviewed and Revised by Nursing Executive Committee; 8/04: Revisions
approved by Nursing Faculty 8/04; Reviewed and Revised by Nursing Executive Committee-9/05; Reviewed and Revised by Program
Evaluation Committee-1/06: Revisions approved by Nursing Faculty 1/06.
Key to Abbreviations:
AA – Alumni Affairs Committee
CC – Curriculum Committee
DH – Department Head
FA – Faculty Affairs Committee
IR – Institutional Research (University Level)
SAC – Student Affairs Committee