Program Outcomes Following Implementation of a HYBRID CURRICULUM at the CERTIFICATE LEVEL

Abstract

Aim. This study examined satisfaction levels and learning outcomes before and after implementation of a hybrid curriculum. Background. Increased competition for clinical sites pressured a practical nursing program to explore alternative placement solutions. A hybrid curriculum, defined as offering 50 percent of second‐semester theory course content online, was implemented in order to free students from place‐bound instruction and thereby open new clinical opportunities. Methods. A summative evaluation was conducted to compare NCLEX‐PN® pass rates, grade outcomes, student satisfaction, and attrition rates between a prehybrid group of 119 practical nursing students and a hybrid group of 106 practical nursing students. Results. Findings indicate no significant differences in NCLEX pass rates and grade outcomes between the groups and an improvement in satisfaction and attrition rates. Conclusion. It was concluded that use of a hybrid curriculum can open new clinical opportunities while maintaining the learning outcomes of NCLEX‐PN pass rates and course grades.