2008 Wisconsin Nurses Association Continuing Nursing Education
Policies and Procedures for Planning Educational Activities
(See WNA APPROVED CNE PROVIDER ACTIVITY FORM)
A. Planning
A minimum of two people will be involved in the planning of each Wisconsin Nurses Association educational activity. The educational activity will be planned by at least one registered nurse with a baccalaureate degree or higher in nursing (WNA NEC Nurse Planner) and at least one other activity planner. Each member of the planning committee should represent at least one of the following roles: relevant content expertise; the target audience; and responsibility for assuring adherence to TNA and ANCC criteria. All roles must be represented in the planning committee.
The RN Nurse Planner in the approved provider unit must be responsible for assuring adherence to the TNA and ANCC criteria. The target audience representative can be any member of the planning committee but must be a registered nurse who is able to represent the educational needs of the target audience. Additionally, the planning committee must contain (a) content expert(s), (an) individual(s) “with documented qualifications that demonstrate education, knowledge, and experience in the subject matter of the program being planned.” (ANA, 2000, p. 23) One person may fulfill more than one role on the planning committee, and others may participate in planning the educational activity.
Planning may occur through face-to-face meetings, by conference call, or via written correspondence. Multidisciplinary educational activities may have planning committees which include representatives from each discipline considered important to the planning of the program.
A Biographical Data Form indicating the role of each planning committee member and a Conflict of Interest Disclosure will be completed by each activity planner. The Conflict of Interest Disclosure will be signed by the planning committee member and countersigned by the WNA NEC Nurse Planner. Completed Planner Biographical Data Forms and Conflict of Interest Disclosures are attached to the WNA Approved CNE Provider Activity Form for each educational activity.
(See SAMPLE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA FORM)
(See SAMPLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE)
B. Target Audience and Needs Assessment
Continuing education activities are developed and implemented in response to, and with consideration for, the unique educational needs and characteristics of the approved provider unit’s target audience, registered nurses. Other health care professionals may attend WNA-sponsored continuing nursing education activities, but WNA-sponsored programs are designed for RNs.
Information is collected related to the educational needs of the nurse. Examples of processes used to collect this information include: needs assessments, feedback from attendees at past conferences, quality studies/performance improvement activities, analyzing the patient population and patient care requirements, and reviewing professional literature. The assessment data collected are analyzed to determine the target audience and the learner needs. The identified needs are validated by the Nurse Planner, target audience representatives, content experts, and other members of the planning committee.
The method and findings used to determine the target audience and learner needs are documented on the WNA Approved CNE Provider Activity Form. The Activity Form will indicate the target audience, level of the RN learner, location of the participant, clinical area of practice, and how the need for the activity was determined.
EDUCATIONAL DESIGN
Purpose
The purpose is:
1. a statement describing why and for whom an educational activity has been designed;
2. a statement of intent that describes how an educational activity will enrich nurses’ contributions to quality health care and their pursuit of professional career goals;
3. is determined from the learner’s identified needs; and
4. is clearly stated and supported by the educational design.
FOR CRITERIA C. – G.
(See SAMPLE DOCUMENTATION FORM PRESENTER-DIRECTED)
(See SAMPLE DOCUMENTATION FORM LEARNER-DIRECTED)
C. Objectives
Determination of objectives is a collaborative process between planners and content experts/presenters. Educational objectives are derived from and should relate to the overall purpose of the activity and define the expected outcomes for the learner.
The educational objectives are written from the learner’s perspective, stated in behavioral and measurable terms, identify observable actions, and specify one action per objective. The number of objectives will be sufficient to accomplish the intended purpose of the activity within the given timeframe. Educational objectives can be classified as three types: cognitive (involves knowledge and problem-solving), psychomotor (requires the learner to carry out some function), and affective (implies judgment or emotional exploration). Bloom’s taxonomy is available to the planning committee to assist in writing measurable educational objectives for the activity. The planning committee uses the objectives to evaluate the activity and the learner’s achievement.
Educational objectives will be numbered consecutively on the Documentation Form(s) with corresponding content. Completed Documentation Forms are attached to the WNA Approved CNE Provider Activity Form for each educational activity.
D. Content
Each objective has a corresponding content outline which is more than a restatement of the educational objectives. The content should be planned in a logical sequence, built on the knowledge of the target audience, and consistent with the needs of the target audience, purpose of the activity, objectives, time allotted, and the teaching strategies. The content area column must include enough information to demonstrate that the objective will be met, e.g. what the participant must learn in order to meet the objective. The selection of content must focus on the needs of the RNs, their characteristics, and information meaningful to their nursing practice.
The content will be provided on the Documentation Form(s) and relate to each educational objective. Each content area will be numbered to correspond with the educational objectives.
E. Time Frame – for presenter-directed activities only
The educational activities, the level and amount of content to be provided, and the estimated number of participants dictate the amount of time required for the educational activity. Time allotted for the content is consistent with the objectives and appropriate for the content being presented. As a guide, objectives should be broken down into increments of 90 minutes or less.
Time frames will be given for each educational objective on the Documentation Form(s) in the following format, 9:30 – 9:45 AM (15 minutes).
F. Presenter – for presenter-directed activities only
Presenters are selected based on their expert knowledge or skill in a specific content area. Presenters take an active part in planning the educational activity which assists them in carrying out expected responsibilities. A designated planning committee member will discuss with the presenter the type of presentation desired and the amount of time available for the presentation.
A Biographical Data Form and Conflict of Interest Disclosure will be completed for each presenter. The Conflict of Interest Disclosure will be signed by the presenter and countersigned by the WNA NEC Nurse Planner. Presenters will be identified on the Documentation Form(s) for each objective/content area.
See Section H. for Presenter(s) Qualifications.
(See SAMPLE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA FORM)
(See SAMPLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE)
G. Teaching/Learning Strategies
Teaching/learning strategies are congruent with the objectives and content to be presented, including resources, materials, delivery methods, learner feedback, and time allotted.
Principles of adult learning are evident in the teaching/learning strategies selected. The action indicated as the expected outcome and the characteristics and needs of the target audience determine the teaching strategies to be used. Examples: An objective asking the participant to demonstrate psychomotor skills should include teaching strategies that utilize demonstration and return demonstration; an objective that requires a learner to describe a phenomenon would include teaching strategies such as lecture and discussion or printed visual or computer-based resources.
A combination of information, question and answer, and an opportunity to practice skills provides opportunities for activity participation and learning. Teaching methods include but are not limited to lecture/group discussion, small group sessions, skill practice sessions, question and answer sessions, audiovisuals, role-play, games, clinical application, simulations, handouts, etc. Materials and resources could include handouts, references, etc. The Nurse Planner on the planning committee assures that the teaching/learning strategies selected are appropriate for the objectives, content and time frame.
Teaching strategies will be given for each objective on the Documentation Form(s) and time for evaluation will be noted with an appropriate amount of time allocated.
H. Presenter(s) Qualifications
Presenters have knowledge and expertise in the content area and take an active part in planning the educational activity. The presenter’s involvement in planning the educational activity is documented in the WNA Approved CNE Provider Activity Form. Presenters will also be identified by name in the WNA Approved CNE Provider Activity Form, with credentials and organization.
Presenters must have documented qualifications that demonstrate education and/or experience in the content area being presented. Expertise in subject matter can be evaluated based on education, professional achievements and credentials, work experience, honors, awards, professional publications, etc.
A Biographical Data Form will be completed for each presenter. A Conflict of Interest Disclosure will be completed and signed by all presenters/authors to identify and resolve any potentially biasing relationships on the part of those who have an impact on the content of an educational activity. The Conflict of Interest Disclosure will be countersigned by the WNA NEC Nurse Planner. Presenters/authors will also declare if off-label uses of commercial products will be discussed during the educational activity.
(See SAMPLE BIOGRAPHICAL DATA FORM)
(See SAMPLE CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURE)
I. Adult Education Principles
Adult education principles are considered in the planning of WNA-sponsored educational activities and will be documented on the WNA Approved CNE Provider Activity Form and on the Documentation Form(s). The teaching/learning strategies chosen will be consistent with and support the objectives of the educational activity, content, target audience, and the skill of the presenter(s).
J. Awarding of Contact Hours
Contact hours are determined in a logical and defensible manner, consistent with the objectives, content, teaching/learning strategies, and target audience. The appropriate measure of credit is the 60-minute contact hour. A contact hour is 60 minutes of an organized learning activity, which is either a didactic or clinical experience or independent study. The minimum number of contact hours to be awarded is 0.5 (30 minutes). Contact hours are only calculated to the hundredths place, and contact hours may not be rounded up. Partial contact hours can be awarded for time that exceeds 60-minutes.
Example: _____75______ = 1.25 contact hours
60
The rationale used to determine the number of contact hours should be described. Welcomes, introductions to people and space, breaks and exhibits are not included in the calculation of contact hours. The topic, pre/post-tests, demonstration/return demonstration, and evaluation are included in the calculation of contact hours. Evaluation is considered part of the learning activity and should be included in the calculation of contact hours.
For a live presentation, contact hours are computed by adding the total number of minutes the participant is in contact with the learning material and dividing by 60. For a self-directed program, some method of determining the amount of time it takes a participant to complete the material must be documented. To determine the number of contact hours for a self-directed program, contact hours are computed by completing a pilot test of the program (the total amount of time for 3-5 pilot testers completing the program is totaled and then divided by the number of testers to determine an average amount of time needed to complete the program). Course overview, evaluation, and pre- and post-tests will be included in the total number of minutes for both live and self-directed programs. The Wisconsin Nurses Association will not award contact hours for learner-directed programs.
K. Verifying Participation and Successful Completion by the Participant
Educational activities may differ in expectation and requirements for verification of participation and successful completion of the activity. Criteria for verifying participation and successful completion must be determined as part of the overall planning of the activity.
Verification of participation may be achieved by a variety of methods, for example, roll call, sign in sheets, self-reported attendance, or return of evaluation tools. Successful completion may also be achieved by a variety of methods, for example, submission of a written post-test and a self-reported level of achievement of objectives, return demonstration, evaluation discussion with presenters, attendance at the entire activity, completion of an assigned activity, etc.
A self-directed activity is learner-paced and completed at the time and place of the learner’s choosing. Criteria for successful completion of a self-directed activity may include a predetermined score on the post-test as a measure of achievement of educational objectives, or submission of a post-test and self-reported level of achievement of objectives. Another example may be a return demonstration of the skill(s) learned and practiced independently. A deadline date after which credit may not be earned may be appropriate.
The learner is informed in writing of the criteria for verifying participation and successful completion prior to participation in the educational activity. These disclosures are made to learners via materials received when registering at WNA-sponsored conferences.
Participants who complete an educational activity will receive written verification of their participation in and successful completion of the program via a certificate including the following eight criteria:
1. Provider name and address, including street, city, state, and zip code.
2. Provider ID Number.
3. Name of participant.
4. Title of the educational activity.
5. Number of contact hours awarded.
6. Day, month and year of the activity presentation.
7. City and state in which the activity was presented.
8. Correct TNA approval statement:
Wisconsin Nurses Association is an approved provider of continuing nursing education by the Texas Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
(See SAMPLE CERTIFICATE)
L. Activity Evaluation
There is a clearly defined method, which includes learner input, for evaluating the effectiveness of each WNA educational activity. “The effectiveness of the learning activity is evaluated in relationship to the learner’s achievement of the educational objectives and the development of the nurse’s portfolio, which includes documentation of ongoing professional development, career planning and continuing professional nursing development” (ANA 2000, p. 15). The evaluation form for presenter-directed activities should include: