Curriculum Development in Nursing Education

Abstract

Curriculum Development in Nursing Education Iwasiw, C., Goldenberg, D., & Andrusyszyn, M. Boston: Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 2005 Nurses are in demand. The present nursing shortage has led to an increase in the need for nursing programs across the country. With the changes in our nation's racial demographics, nurses need to be proactive leaders who are clinically competent and culturally sensitive to the needs of their clients. How does this happen? This transformation occurs through the process of nursing education. Thus, nursing education is undergirded by the curriculum, which is developed by the faculty at a nursing institution, and there are a variety of textbooks to guide nursing faculty in designing a suitable curriculum for today's nursing student. The authors' specific purpose in writing this text is to detail the intricacies of the process of curriculum development in nursing education. This text is an important book to have when embarking upon a curriculum change/development. The book contains a lot of information for its size of 270 pages and presents new concepts in a way that will not appear threatening to a person who is reluctant to the curriculum change/development process. Upon initial review, the reader will remark at the ease of use of this text, which is welcomed by a potential user. The table of contents is detailed in that it provides a clear outline of the contents of the book and of the specific chapters. Thus, a chapter breakdown provides the opportunity for the reader to pinpoint a topic of specific interest without hassle. In addition, the book provides ample opportunities for interactive learning and helps relieve the uneasiness felt during a curriculum transition or development. This book is written by nursing faculty for other faculty to impart knowledge concerning developing a curriculum of nursing. Thus, nursing faculty have firsthand knowledge about relevant and timely issues today's nurse faculty may face when writing their own nursing curriculum, as well as firsthand knowledge concerning the clinical challenges and professional competencies required in today's nursing profession. The authors' take the learner through a series of steps needed for the development of a sound educative process that reflects the beliefs, philosophy, and values of its developers. The first few chapters of the book address issues related to considerations for curriculum development such as the following: What is curriculum development? Why should it be considered? Who should lead the plan? and Why? Also, a focus is on the faculty response to curriculum change. Contextual factors such as philosophy, mission, goals, culture and professional standards, and trends are addressed with guidance given as to how to integrate these factors into the curriculum development process. An equally important aspect of this text is the direction it gives in implementing the curriculum plan. This section on implementation is a valuable resource because it assists the learner/developer in bringing the curriculum plan to fruition. The authors of this text have tried to make the process of learning about curriculum development/change as easy as possible. …