Not applicable

The purpose of the Excelsior College associate degree nursing programs is to provide an alternative educational approach to earning an associate degree in nursing. The student's qualifications as a learned individual and a competent member of the nursing profession are documented through an objective assessment program in general education and nursing education designed to promote:
- proficiency in the practice of associate degree nursing.
- a sense of social responsibility and personal fulfillment by emphasizing the need for students to evaluate their own learning and potential achievements in terms of professional relevance and personal goals.
- a foundation for lifelong learning.

National League for Nursing Accreditating Commission (NLNAC)

none

In order to satisfy the 36 credit nursing component requirement, students must pass eight nursing theory examinations, the Focused Clinical Competencies Assessmnt (FCCA) and the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination (CPNE).  The theory exams and the FCCA are administered at Pearson Vue Testing Centers across the United States and at select international test sites.  The CPNE is administered at test site hospitals located in New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Wisconsin, and Texas.

67 credits

1) Applies analytic reasoning and problem solving skills, using principles, concepts, and theories from the natural and social sciences to choose among alternative solutions to make clinical decisions.
2) Uses multiple strategies of communication to express self, convey caring, and establish collaborative partnerships with clients and health care providers.
3) Participates in problem identification, assists in data collection, and uses interpreted research findings to plan and implement care.
4) Uses knowledge and skills to apply the nursing process to care for clients in a variety of settings to restore and maintain health or provide end-of-life care.
5) Uses a holistic approach to prioritize and evaluate care delivered to clients across the continuum of the complex health care environment using established nursing standards and protocols.
6) Identifies scope of practice for members of the health care team. Appropriately delegates and manages individuals to deliver care in a variety of settings.
7) Practices within the ethical, legal, and regulatory frameworks of nursing and standards of professional nursing practice.
8) Articulates the contributions of professional nursing to health care.
9) Advocates for the rights of clients and members of the profession of nursing.
10) Demonstrates a pattern of human-centered behaviors by maintaining an environment that signifies caring, sensitivity, and cultural competence with others.

The ten program learning outcomes are assessed via eight nursing theory examinations, the Focused Clinical Competencies Assessment (FCCA), and the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination (CPNE). The FCCA is a simulated clinical assessment with three components. The CPNE is a criterion referenced performance assessment administered in the acute care environment. Associate Degree in Nursing students must pass all these examinations in order to graduate from the program. In addition to these exams, program learning outcomes are measured indirectly via alumni surveys conducted at Exit, One year and Three years post-graduation. A supervisor survey is administered at one year and three years post-graduation to students willing to provide supervisor information.

The FCCA addresses the following outcomes: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
The CPNE addresses the following outcomes: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 and 10.

The alumni and supervisor surveys indirectly address all the ten outcomes.
The percentage of graduates meeting each of the outcomes is therefore 100% by definition.
Criteria:
FCCA: The overall pass rate for the FCCA will be 75% or greater.
CPNE: The overall pass rate will be 65% or greater.
Surveys: The mean score will be 4.0 or greater on a 1-6 Likert rating scale.

Results:
FCCA: The FCCA paper version pass rate was 98% from July –December 2010.
CPNE: The CPNE pass rate from July-December 2010 was 59%.

A table of the mean achievement rating results from the surveys is available on Excelsior's website

The National Council of State Board of Nursing's National Council for Licensing Exam (NCLEX) is the exam used in licensing Registered Nurses.

·         3^rd quarter 2010 was 79.79% as compared to the national average of 84.03%

·         4^th quarter 2010 was 79.91% as compared to the national average of 79.96%

·         Overall for 2006-2010 was 85.10% as compared to the national average of 86.60%