A Strategy to Ensure Faculty Engagement When Assessing a Concept-Based Curriculum

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The faculty of an undergraduate nursing program decided to undertake a major curriculum overhaul, transitioning from a curriculum based on the biomedical model to a concept-based curriculum. However, shortly after the new curriculum was implemented, faculty identified many issues with how and when the concepts were being taught. METHOD: In response to the early implementation issues, a conceptual grid was developed to guide assessment of the new curriculum. RESULTS: The conceptual grid provided a framework for assessment of the new concept-based curriculum. By using this approach, the faculty was able to identify and correct curricular issues that impeded student learning. CONCLUSION: The conceptual grid has been extremely useful in the assessment of a newly implemented concept-based curriculum. [J Nurs Educ. 2016;55(8):467-470.].