Summary C920 Contemporary Curriculum Design and Development in Nursing Education.docx Contemporary Curriculum Design and Development in Nursing Education College of Health Professions, Western Governors University

Contemporary curriculum development creates evidence-based, content-relevant, integrated learning into nursing education. Facilitation of learning in nursing depends on curriculum that incorporates effective learning activities, appropriate assessment of learning outcomes, and aligns with The Essentials for Baccalaureate Education for Professional Nursing Practice (AACN, 2008). Academic nurse educators (ANEs) strive to create environments that are intellectually stimulating, challenging, and encourage continual development of knowledge and skills. The ANE uses learning theory, supplemental resources, and scenario-based learning activities to enhance student learning in the classroom and the online learning environment. Learning Environment Academic nurse educators must be open and receptive to explore new approaches to teaching that are designed to meet the diverse learning needs of today’s nursing students. Nurses prepared at the baccalaureate level are expected to advance professional nursing practice that benefits patients and nurses to deliver safe, quality patient care. The primary goal of nursing education remains the same; student nurses need to be prepared to meet the diverse needs of patients and function as leaders within the healthcare community. The contemporary ANE recognizes that a smooth transition from the academic setting to the practice environment depends on preparing students to apply subject knowledge and critical thinking skills with realworld scenario-based learning activities. Incorporating course elements that create a stimulating and challenging learning environment while developing student nursing knowledge, skills, and competencies is a crucial task for the nurse educator. To align with The Essentials, the modules were designed using course elements that emphasize evidence-based practice, patient safety