NURS FPX 6108 Assessment 3 Curriculum Theory, Framework, and Models

Name

Capella university

NURS-FPX6108 Curriculum Overview: Design, Develop and Evaluate

Prof. Name

Date

Description of the Selected Health Care Curriculum

The chosen curriculum is a structured four-week orientation program developed for newly recruited nurses at St. Mary’s Home, a 231-bed long-term care facility providing skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and dementia care services for older adults. The primary aim of this program is to equip nurses with the competencies required to deliver safe, ethical, culturally appropriate, and resident-focused care within a complex geriatric setting.

To ensure comprehensive skill development, the program employs a blended instructional approach. This includes classroom-based instruction, digital learning modules, simulation-based skill training, and supervised clinical practice under experienced preceptors. This integrated format allows nurses to build both technical expertise and essential soft skills such as communication, empathy, and clinical judgment, which are critical in long-term care environments.

What standards support this curriculum?

The curriculum is grounded in established professional and regulatory frameworks, specifically the American Nurses Association (ANA) Scope and Standards of Practice and Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) guidelines for long-term care. These standards ensure that nurses are trained in:

• Professional accountability
• Legal and ethical responsibilities
• Resident rights and dignity
• Quality and safety protocols

Such alignment ensures consistency with national expectations for nursing practice and supports high-quality care delivery (Unruh et al., 2025).

What core geriatric competencies are emphasized?

Given the focus on older adults, the curriculum prioritizes essential geriatric nursing competencies. These are outlined below:

Competency Area	Practical Application
Medication Safety	Managing polypharmacy and monitoring drug interactions
Dementia Care	Applying communication strategies and behavioral support
Fall Prevention	Conducting risk assessments and ensuring safe environments
Wound Management	Preventing and treating pressure injuries
Cultural Responsiveness	Delivering individualized and respectful care planning

Additionally, the curriculum incorporates established educational theories such as Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory, Benner’s Novice to Expert Model, and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory. These frameworks enhance learning by promoting reflection, experiential engagement, and progressive skill acquisition (Fındık, 2025; Haritha & Rao, 2024).

Fundamental Organizing Design and Theoretical Framework

The curriculum adopts a competency-based structure, where learning is organized around clearly defined skills that nurses must demonstrate before practicing independently. These competencies encompass clinical abilities, ethical reasoning, and interpersonal communication.

What does a competency-based curriculum mean in this context?

In this program, each module is linked to measurable outcomes that directly impact patient safety and care quality. Key competencies include:

• Accurate and timely documentation
• Safe medication administration
• Infection prevention practices
• Dementia-sensitive communication
• Ethical decision-making
• Effective teamwork and collaboration

This approach ensures that learning outcomes are observable, measurable, and aligned with real-world clinical expectations.

Which theories guide the curriculum?

NURS FPX 6108 Assessment 3 Curriculum Theory, Framework, and Models

Two primary theoretical frameworks underpin the curriculum:

Theory	Contribution to Curriculum
Benner’s Novice to Expert Model	Supports progressive skill development through experience
Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory	Promotes self-directed, relevant, and experience-based learning

Together, these theories facilitate continuous professional growth, accountability, and readiness for clinical practice in long-term care settings.

History and Major Concepts of the Selected Framework

What is Benner’s Novice to Expert Model?

Patricia Benner introduced this model in 1984, building on the Dreyfus Model of Skill Acquisition. It outlines five stages of nursing development:

• Novice
• Advanced Beginner
• Competent
• Proficient
• Expert

The theory emphasizes that clinical expertise develops through hands-on experience, reflective practice, and mentorship rather than theoretical knowledge alone (Yu et al., 2024).

How is Benner’s theory used in St. Mary’s Home?

Within the orientation program, new nurses initially depend on structured guidelines and supervision. Over time, they develop the ability to prioritize care, anticipate patient needs, and manage complex clinical situations independently.

Early Orientation Stage	Later Development Stage
Strictly follows checklists	Identifies subtle clinical changes
Performs tasks step-by-step	Adapts care based on patient response
Reports to supervisors frequently	Independently escalates critical concerns

What is Knowles’ Adult Learning Theory?

Developed in the 1970s, Knowles’ theory focuses on how adults learn most effectively. It suggests that adult learners:

• Prefer autonomy in learning
• Draw on prior experiences
• Value practical and relevant content
• Are motivated by problem-solving
• Seek immediate application of knowledge

How is Knowles’ theory applied?

The orientation integrates case-based learning, simulations, group discussions, and reflective exercises. These strategies allow nurses to connect previous experiences with current clinical responsibilities. For instance, dementia care training may involve role-playing scenarios that replicate real patient interactions (Fındık, 2025).

Application of the Organizing Design and Theoretical Framework

The curriculum effectively integrates theoretical principles into instructional strategies, sequencing of content, and performance evaluation.

How is competency-based learning applied?

Each module includes clearly defined performance criteria that determine readiness for independent practice. Assessment focuses on demonstrated competence rather than attendance. Examples include:

• Conducting safe medication administration
• Maintaining accurate clinical documentation
• Using personal protective equipment correctly
• Delivering effective patient handoffs
• Advocating ethically for residents

How is Benner’s model visible in practice?

The program progresses from foundational to advanced clinical responsibilities. Initially, nurses focus on basic skills such as infection control and documentation. As competence grows, they engage in interdisciplinary care planning and complex decision-making (Brown, 2025).

How is Knowles’ theory visible in practice?

The curriculum emphasizes active, learner-centered strategies rather than passive instruction.

Learning Method	Benefit for Adult Learners
Simulation labs	Enables safe practice in realistic environments
Case studies	Enhances clinical reasoning
Reflective journaling	Promotes self-evaluation and growth
Role-playing	Strengthens communication and empathy
Online modules	Supports flexible, self-paced learning

These methods improve knowledge retention, confidence, and application in clinical settings.

Why Is This Curriculum Effective?

The effectiveness of the program lies in its integration of regulatory standards, evidence-based teaching strategies, and practical clinical preparation. It extends beyond technical training to include ethical awareness, teamwork, and compassionate care.

Key strengths include:

• Clearly defined competency expectations
• Strong mentorship and preceptorship structure
• Focus on geriatric-specific care needs
• Application of adult learning principles
• Emphasis on patient safety and quality outcomes
• Ongoing feedback and performance evaluation

Conclusion

The nurse orientation program at St. Mary’s Home represents a well-structured and evidence-informed curriculum that integrates competency-based education with established theoretical frameworks such as Benner’s and Knowles’ models. It supports the development of clinical proficiency, professional confidence, and compassionate caregiving practices essential for long-term care settings.

Through experiential learning, mentorship, and continuous assessment, the program enhances workforce preparedness, improves staff retention, and contributes to better patient outcomes. Ultimately, it fosters a culture of ethical practice, continuous improvement, and high-quality nursing care.

References

Brown, C. K. (2025). Novice to expert nursing theorist: Patricia Benner. The Art of Nursing: Humanizing Healthcare. https://open.ocolearnok.org/artofnursing/chapter/chapter-4-skill-of-involvement/

Fındık, L. Y. (2025). Adult learning theories. In Exploring adult education through learning theory (pp. 29–54). IGI Global. https://doi.org/10.4018/979-8-3693-5812-2.ch002

NURS FPX 6108 Assessment 3 Curriculum Theory, Framework, and Models

Haritha, G., & Rao, R. (2024). A holistic approach to professional development: Integrating Kolb’s experiential learning theory for soft skills mastery. Journal of Engineering Education Transformations, 415–424. https://journaleet.in/index.php/jeet/article/view/2426

Unruh, M. A., Carney, J. K., Moreno, A., Sulmasy, L. S., et al. (2025). Optimizing ethical care, quality, and safety in long-term services and supports: A position paper from the American College of Physicians. Annals of Internal Medicine. https://doi.org/10.7326/annals-24-03641

NURS FPX 6108 Assessment 3 Curriculum Theory, Framework, and Models

Yu, H., Chen, Y., Wu, L., Wang, L., Lai, Y., & You, A. (2024). Construction and implement of hierarchical management system for specialist nurses based on Patricia Benner’s theory. Frontiers in Medicine, 11(11). https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2024.1472384