Concept or technology-based learning in applied pharmacology: best practices in clinical nursing education
Academic Year:
2013 - 2014 (June 1, 2013 through May 31, 2014)
Funding Requested:
$10,000.00
Project Dates:
-
Applicant(s):
Overview of the Project:
The purpose of this study is to evaluate whether concept-based (CB) or technology-based (TB) teaching strategies compared to "teaching as usual (TAU)" increases the USN competency in applied nursing pharmacology. The CB approach involves the integration of concepts gained from prior courses to the patient for whom the student is providing care [5, 7]. The TB teaching approach involves the use of a point-of-care computer-assisted pharmacology (CAP) nursing resource in order to apply pharmacological knowledge specific to the patient for whom the student is providing care. Both of these approaches are expected to be superior to TAU and result in improved pharmacology competency, determined with a lab-simulated pharmacology evaluation (safety) and a customized applied pharmacology exam (knowledge). For sophomores enrolled in NUR 256 (N=140), the first nursing course that provides classroom application of pharmacological concepts learned in the lecture-formatted biological sciences, the following aims and hypotheses will be tested: 1. Evaluate two approaches (CB versus TB) on pharmacology competency determined with a customized pharmacology exam and a lab-simulated pharmacology evaluation. 1a. The CB compared to TB intervention group will have greater pharmacology competency 2. Compare pharmacology competency for beginning junior level USNs (N=140) who received TAU with NUR 256 sophomores who received the CB or TB intervention. 2a. NUR 256 sophomores exposed to CB or TB interventions will have greater pharmacology competency compared to beginning junior USNs who received TAU. The overall long-range goal of this project is to systematically improve applied pharmacology competency for our undergraduate nursing students.