304 Cherry chap

Saint Anthony College of Nursing

• N304 Concepts of Professional Nursing

• Spring 2025

• Mary Westerman Cherry

• Chapter 3 The Influence of Contemporary Trends and Issues on Nursing Education

Trends and Issues in Contemporary Nursing Education

• Knowledge expansion and technological advancements

  • Digital technology guides patient care

  • Unlimited information available via the Internet

  • Increased need for time and skill to navigate online resources

  • Peer-to-peer learning dynamics evolving

• Curriculum revision by faculty

  • More courses and degree programs offered online

  • Simulation used to evaluate competencies

  • Rise in social media usage among nurses

• Development of code of ethics

  • Established by employers and professional nursing organizations

  • Informatics competencies by QSEN and NONPF

Contemporary Educational Practices

Competency Outcomes

• Practice-based competence defined

  • Alignment with business world goals

  • Essential for students to demonstrate required skills in practice

  • Focus on realistic, practice-based outcomes

Student Learning Transition

• Change in focus from memorization to integration of knowledge

  • Emphasis on decision-making and competency

  • Aim to enhance student confidence and abilities

Performance-based Learning and Assessment

• Evolution in teacher and learner roles

  • Shift towards active learning models

• Skills emphasized for nurses include:

  • Problem-solving

  • Communication

  • Teaching

  • Caring

  • Management

Learning Strategies

Effective Learning Activities

• Engage in problem-based learning and case studies

• Diverse projects in community agencies

• Competency documentation for evaluation

• Performance-based examinations and development of structured portfolios

Sociodemographic Challenges

• Changes in population dynamics

  • Aging population with increasing longevity

  • Diverse populations employing various health practices

  • Rising poverty, homelessness, and lack of insurance

  • Issues of domestic abuse and violence

  • Obesity epidemic trends

  • Nontraditional family structures

Interdisciplinary Approaches

• Community-focused, interprofessional models emerging

  • Cost reduction efforts influencing educational frameworks

  • Health promotion shifting focus from illness care

  • Preparing students for diverse patient care scenarios

  • Global health considerations as essential training aspects

Consumer Oriented Care

• Changes in patient engagement, safety, and privacy

  • Shift towards collaborative care models

  • Increased focus on competency-based education within nursing programs

  • Ethical and bioethical dilemmas arising from diverse patient practices

Faculty and Workforce Challenges

• Nursing and faculty shortages affecting care quality

  • Older workforce composition leading to fewer available nurses

  • Increase in medication errors due to staffing challenges

Response Preparedness

• Rising incidents of violence, disasters, and terrorism

  • Need for nurses to collaborate effectively with first responders

Increasing Responsibilities

• Growth in information and technology demands on nurses

  • New health information technologies changing care settings

  • Higher personal and professional demands contributing to stress

  • Emphasis on self-care and supportive communities

Major Types of Education Programs

Practical Nurse Programs

• LPN/LVN programs: 9 to 12 months focusing on technical nursing skills.

• State regulations determine scope of practice.

Nursing Diploma Programs

• First program initiated by Linda Richards in 1873

• Transitioned from apprenticeship to educational frameworks, evolving from 1-2 years to 3 years of study.

Associate Degree Programs

• Shifted education focus from vocational to academic settings in the 1950s

• Requires 2 years of study including liberal arts and sciences.

Baccalaureate Degree Programs

• Established at University of Minnesota in 1909

• Integral role in developing comprehensive nursing care through arts and sciences.

Master’s Degree Nursing Programs

• Evolved from the need for advanced education and nursing leadership.

• MSN programs commonly focus on advanced practice specialties.

Doctoral Degree Programs

• Dr. Nursing Practice (DNP) and PhD development in the last 40 years.

• DNP positioned as standard for advanced practice nursing.

Flexible Education Options

Mobility and Distance Programs

• External degree models allow adult learners flexibility

• Best suited for established professionals seeking advancement.

Career Ladder Programs

• Systems providing stepwise progression within nursing education.

Reflections for the Future

• Considerations for trends beyond 2025 and continuous updates in nursing education.

• Sources for staying informed about nursing education advancements.