Systematic Curriculum Mapping of Virtual Patient Assignments to End-of-Program Outcomes. Issue 2 (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Altmiller, Gerry; Alexy, Eileen; Dzubaty, Dolores; Jakubowski, Tami; Kartoz, Connie R.
• Is Part Of: Nurse educator. Volume 47:Issue 2(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: curriculum mapping -- program evaluation -- virtual patient -- virtual patient simulation; Nursing -- Study and teaching -- Periodicals; 610.73
• DOI: 10.1097/NNE.0000000000001107
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0363-3624

Abstract

Abstract : Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual clinical learning assignments replaced onsite clinical instruction in many prelicensure nursing programs, but the alignment of those learning experiences to end-of-program outcomes was unknown. Purpose: This article describes the process and results of mapping student competencies gained via virtual patient simulation experiences to a program's end-of-program outcomes and accrediting standards. Methods: A faculty team followed the process of curriculum mapping as described in the literature to evaluate the effectiveness of the program's virtual clinical learning product in addressing end-of-program outcomes. Results: The mapping process identified where competencies were being met, which needed enhancing or were redundant, and where gaps existed. Conclusions: Curriculum mapping is an effective strategy in evaluating whether virtual patient simulation learning experiences support end-of-program outcomes. Mapping learning activities to outcomes will be fundamental to curriculum development and evaluation as schools of nursing integrate accrediting standards.