| Learning Objective #1: Identify new graduate population-based public health nursing competencies | |||
| Learning Objective #2: Explore the portfolio approach as a strategy to measure student clinical performance in public health nursing |
Design: The Henry Street Consortium, with members from schools/colleges of nursing and public health agencies, developed eleven population-based public health nursing competences for graduates and novice public health nurses. The competencies were based on a review of existing public health competencies, dialogue between Consortium members, and review by practicing public health nurses. One college piloted a professional portfolio to measure student achievement of the competencies.
Sample: The study included senior nursing students and community health nursing faculty at a private liberal arts college.
Intervention and Outcome Variables: Following implementation of the portfolio, the researchers evaluated student and faculty perceptions of the effectiveness of the portfolio for student learning.
Methods: The researchers used the following measures to determine the effectiveness of the portfolio: a 16-item survey of students enrolled in the class, two focus groups of randomly selected students from six clinical groups, a content analysis of electronic discussion interactions of faculty members and students, and telephone interviews of six clinical faculty members.
Findings: Students increased their understanding of population-based concepts and language. There was variability in students’ abilities to reflect at the analysis level, including critical thinking and self-examination. Faculty members identified long-term benefits while students focused on their immediate experience.
Conclusions: The portfolio has the potential to assist students in self-examination and increase their learning of population-based knowledge and skills. Educators need to provide guidance on how to reflect at an analysis level and explain to students the long term benefits of the portfolio for the nursing profession.
Implications: The strategy of the portfolio to teach and evaluate public health nursing competencies will facilitate the development of a competent workforce to assure population health.
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Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004