USU Nursing Programs Data-Based Decisions

2024

Data obtained from 2024 graduating students' exit surveys did not fully meet the program's desired level of clarity due to an unintended functionality of the survey tool. Consequently, adjustments have been made to the survey settings to restrict submissions to one-time completion.  Additionally, analysis of the data suggests that "senior burnout" has influenced the survey outcomes, particularly when conducted during the final week of the semester. To mitigate this effect and ensure more accurate feedback, future exit surveys will be administered earlier in the semester.

2023

During previous years, students have appeared to be less intentional on reporting their perceptions of Student Learning Outcome (SLO) achievement. Faculty proposed that aligning specific SLO’s with specific assignments could increase student awareness that by completing the assignment, they achieved the associated SLO.  2023 data shows that students are now reporting more intentionally, and the data is more accurate regarding achievement of student learning outcomes.  

2022

During the Spring 2022 Nursing Faculty Organization meeting, the ATI Comprehensive Predictor results, the Systematic Plan of Evaluation (SPE) results, student performance, and curricular concepts and exemplars were reviewed. Updates were made, where indicated, to improve alignment between courses and cross-curriculum. A program and curriculum review was conducted. Based on data obtained during the previous year, as well as evidence-based nursing research the faculty voted to:

  • Discontinue program-wide use of the ATI Comprehensive pre-test early in spring semester. The resulting data did not indicate improved remediation topics or increases in student test-taking preparation.
  • Begin a curriculum improvement project to better standardize the order of concepts and exemplars in similar courses across the program.

2021

During the Spring 2021 All-Nursing Faculty Organization meeting the Systematic Plan of Evaluation (SPE) results, student performance, and curricular concepts and exemplars reviewed and updated to improve alignment between courses and cross-curriculum. Based on data derived from student suggestions regarding their success on ATI Comprehensive Predictor examination scores, faculty voted to:

  • Offer an ATI Comprehensive pre-test early in spring semester to obtain data that support topics for remediation, and support planning for the proctored ATI exam.

2020

During the Spring 2020 All-Nursing Faculty Organization meeting the Systematic Plan of Evaluation (SPE) results, student performance, and curricular concepts and exemplars reviewed and updated to improve alignment between courses and cross-curriculum. Based on data for student success including ATI Comprehensive Predictor examination scores, course grades and NCLEX pass rate, faculty voted to:

  • Discontinue use of the ATI TEAS admission assessment exam and replace it with the HESI A2 (Admission Assessment Exam).

2019

During the Spring 2019 All-Nursing Faculty Organization meeting, the Systematic Plans of Evaluation (SPE) results, student performance, and curricular concepts and exemplars were reviewed and updated to improve alignment between courses and cross-curriculum. Based on the data, faculty unanimously voted to modify SPE as follows:

  • Expected Levels of Achievement (ELA) for ATI Comprehensive Predictor examination overall composite and category scores changed from “75% or greater” to “at or above the national mean”.
  • Remove requirement that 90% of reviewed NURS 4210 Nursing Capstone course portfolios will demonstrate student achievement of each end-of-program student learning outcome.

2016-2018

A comprehensive program and curriculum review was conducted. Evidence-based nursing research led USU Nursing faculty/leaders to recognize merits of a concept-based curriculum to accommodate students’ diverse learning styles, to efficiently deliver increasing amounts of instructional content and to help develop critical thinking skills necessary for success as practicing nurses. USU Nursing faculty agreed to migrate the curriculum to a concept-based methodology. The Nursing program adopted the concept-based curriculum for fall 2016 delivery. Migration to concept-based curriculum delivery continued in spring 2017.

  • USU’s BSN Nursing program was launched on the Logan campus in fall 2017. The inaugural class accepted 23 students.
  • In fall 2018, the BSN Nursing program moved to 4th floor of the newly constructed Sorenson Legacy Foundation Center for Clinical Excellence. This center is the first of its kind in the Intermountain West, providing comprehensive clinical services across the human lifespan. The integration of academic, research and clinical service spaces allows USU students work with faculty who engage in clinical practice and perform cutting-edge research.
  • NURS 2120 was removed from the curriculum and replaced with a new course NURS 2140. This change addressed several deficiencies identified during nursing faculty assessment discussions. NURS 2240 course was added to serve as a Capstone experience for the AAS-Nursing curriculum in an attempt to incorporate the many themes of the SLO’s in a summative experience.
  • Due to driving time and distances among clinical sites in selected program locations the Director of Nursing began establishing cooperative opportunities at appropriate sites closer to USU campuses.
  • Course curriculum for individual Practical Nursing programs is updated based on NCLEX-PN scores and student IDEA evaluations.