Implementing Universal Design Instruction in Doctor of Nursing Practice Education

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Curriculum Development
• Instructional Design

Background:

• Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) faculty face challenges with increasing enrollment and diverse student backgrounds.
• Innovative curriculum transformation is needed to address varied educational preparation and professional experiences.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce Universal Design for Instruction (UDI) as a framework for DNP curriculum.
• To promote vibrant and inclusive learning strategies within DNP programs.

Main Methods:

• UDI, based on 9 principles, anticipates diverse learners and incorporates multiple learning modalities.
• UDI principles were integrated into DNP didactic courses and scholarly project processes.

Main Results:

• Precourse assessments were utilized to understand student needs.
• Content was delivered through multiple modalities to cater to diverse learning preferences.
• Students were offered various options for presenting their acquired knowledge.

Conclusions:

• UDI integration supports adult learners throughout their scholarly project work.
• The framework provides a structured approach to curriculum enhancement in DNP programs.
• UDI fosters an inclusive and effective learning environment for advanced nursing students.