PROGRAM EVALUATION SUMMARY
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| School: |
Canadian Valley Technology Center, Cowan Campus |
| Program: |
Link to Nursing |
| Chairperson: |
Ruth Ann Eckenstein |
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INTRODUCTION
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The Link to Nursing program at Canadian Valley's Cowan Campus is designed to teach students
entry-level knowledge and skills in nursing. Students can train to become certified Nursing
Assistants, Certified Medication Aides, Home Health Aides, and Acute Care Nursing Assistants.
Students have the opportunity to study CPR, First Aid, Medical Terminology, and Basic Nursing
Fundamentals, one of the first courses in the LPN program. Students emolled in this program
must be on the waiting list for the Practical Nursing program.
Employment opportunities include nursing homes, hospitals, doctor offices, doctors' clinics and
home health facilities. The Link to Nursing program prepares the graduate for articulation into
higher education and career advancement.
The curriculum is supplemented with textbooks, learning activity packages, professional
journals, audiovisual resources, and technical equipment. Teaching methods include
demonstration, group discussion, case studies, independent learning activities, computer-assisted
instruction, individualized tutoring, laboratory, and clinical experience
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COMMENDATIONS OR STRENGTHS
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The scope and sequence of the material is consistent with the career and technology education
philosophy of moving from the simple to complex in a logical order with each segment building
on the previous. The Link to Nursing instruction is comparable to the Advanced Acute Care Aide
(pre-Nursing) career major. It is student-centered, with the student participating in discovery
learning.
Learning is facilitated using competency-based curriculum materials in the classroom and skills
laboratories. Students are encouraged to progress at their maximum performance rate.
The program's primary strength comes from the commitment and technical competence of the
instructor. She has organized the curriculum into a systematic approach that builds on the skills
experience with actual skills practice.
The new facility is an excellent venue for learning and provides a conductive learning
environment.
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SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
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(These recommendations address Standard Not Met and should be implemented so that those program standards can be met.)
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All Program minimum standards were met.
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GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
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| STANDARD 1 |
Instructional Planning and Organization
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The curriculum was difficult to find. The curriculum and program objectives as well as the
theory, lab, and clinical hours should be clearly defined and included in the handbook.
A written policy for accidents should be provided to each student, and a copy should be included
in the handbook. This policy should specifically address accidents that might occur in the
classroom, lab, and clinical areas, along with procedures to follow should an accident occur.
A well-defined, weighted grading system should be developed that includes all assessment
methods (tests, homework, clinicals, and other assessment tools such as lab demonstrations and
professional perfonnance), and it should be in the handbook.
The application process should also be explained in the handbook so that prospective students
will understand how to improve their chances of getting into the program.
The program needs a three-year strategic plan that covers curriculum and technology updates,
instructional materials, equipment and supplies acquisitions, budget development, partnership
utilization, facility renovation, and student organization needs. This should be developed from
the systematic evaluation plan.
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INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION: <type what you did here: .>
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| STANDARD 8 |
Advisory Committee and Community Relations
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The instructor should keep a communications log with contact infonnation and notes about
actions implemented as a result of committee suggestions. Each member's title and role at the
facility where they work should be noted.
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INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION: <type what you did here>
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STANDARD 9
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Leadership Development
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Community activities should be included as leadership activities in the career major courses.
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INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION: <type what you did here>
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| STANDARD 10 |
Coordination/Clinical Activities |
Clinical objectives, which are the same for both rotations, should be specific and more advanced
for the second rotation. The evaluation tools should match the objectives.
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INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATION: <type what you did here>
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