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Updated: May 18, 2026
10:07
Using Learning Outcome Measures to assess Doctoral Nursing Education
Published on: June 21, 2010
Nursing department education needs assessment: implementation and outcome.
1Nursing Professional Development Department, Mary Greeley Medical Center, Ames, Iowa, USA. johnston@mgmc.com
Summary
This study developed a novel method to prioritize staff education by assessing knowledge gaps using Patricia Benner's model. This approach effectively targets novice learning needs and measures educational effectiveness over time.
Area of Science:
- Nursing Education
- Healthcare Professional Development
- Knowledge Assessment
Background:
- Previous needs assessments lacked educational prioritization.
- Effective methods are needed to identify and rank learning needs in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and implement a system for prioritizing staff education.
- To utilize a validated model for assessing learning needs and measuring educational impact.
Main Methods:
- A survey was created using topics from quality and process initiatives.
- Patricia Benner's skill development model was adapted to a novice-to-expert knowledge rating scale.
- Education priorities were determined by identifying topics with the most "novice" responses.
Main Results:
- Educational programs were successfully prioritized based on identified knowledge deficits.
- The assessment method allowed for the measurement of educational effectiveness by tracking knowledge changes year-over-year.
Conclusions:
- The adapted Benner's model provides a quantifiable method for prioritizing staff education.
- This approach enables continuous evaluation of learning and educational program success in healthcare.
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Section...
Section...
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