QSEN: Curriculum Integration and Bridging the Gap to Practice.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Patient Safety

Background:

• The Quality and Safety Education for Nurses (QSEN) initiative mandates enhanced quality and safety competencies in nursing education.
• Diploma nursing programs require curriculum adaptation to integrate QSEN principles effectively.

Purpose of the Study:

• To revise a diploma nursing curriculum to align with QSEN competencies.
• To evaluate the impact of curriculum changes on student and faculty perceptions of quality and safety.

Main Methods:

• Curriculum objectives were updated and QSEN principles integrated into didactic, clinical, and simulation learning experiences.
• The Healthcare Professionals Patient Safety Assessment Curriculum Survey was administered to students and faculty.
• Preceptors assessed student competency in meeting QSEN standards.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in perceived competency was found immediately post-implementation.
• Significant differences were identified between student and faculty survey responses.
• Statistically significant improvements were observed in student self-assessment from the program's start to one year later.

Conclusions:

• Curriculum revision integrating QSEN principles shows promise in enhancing nursing students' quality and safety competencies over time.
• Addressing the gap between student and faculty perceptions of safety competency is crucial.
• Ongoing evaluation is necessary to fully realize the impact of curriculum changes on patient safety outcomes.