Systematic Curriculum Mapping of Virtual Patient Assignments to End-of-Program Outcomes.

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.

Population Health in Childbearing Family Education in Nursing.

Population health principles can be introduced in the undergraduate nursing curriculum during a course providing education about the childbearing family. Information regarding fertility and all stages of pregnancy and childbearing is discussed throughout the course. Knowledge regarding client resources, needs, risk factors, and health practices as related to client population is explored. Population health does not limit the clients' defining characteristics to only identified ethnicity or geographic area; clients may be members of more than one population. Introducing population health through the unfolding case study method stimulates a more thorough exploration of differing populations the student may not generally encounter.

Supporting Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Parents Through Social Media.

Parents of infants in the neonatal intensive care unit may often find themselves seeking healthcare information from online and social media sources. Social media applications are available to healthcare consumers and their families, as well as healthcare providers, in a variety of formats. Information that parents gather on their own, and information that is explained by providers, is then used when parents make healthcare decisions regarding their infants. Parents also seek support from peers and family while making healthcare decisions. The combination of knowledge obtained and social support given may empower the parent to feel more confident in their decision making. Healthcare professionals can guide parents to credible resources. The exchange of information between providers and parents can occur using a variety of communication methods. Misperceptions can be corrected, support given, open sharing of information occurs, and parent empowerment may result.