Engaging learners across generations: the Progressive Professional Development Model

The Progressive Professional Development Model (PPDM) is a framework to guide educators in planning learning experiences that promote development in the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. The model marries the use of standardized patients and virtual and simulated practice environments with traditional clinical practice and offers the opportunity to address learning styles of a multigenerational work force. Proposed is the application of technology in designing both instructional and evaluative experiences for new nurse orientation and continuing education. Outcome measures include learning of increasingly complex knowledge, values, skills, and demonstration of competency-based behaviors. Examples of application are provided, including a discussion of considerations for operationalizing the model in the health care setting.