Description
Write peer responses:
NURS 535 Week 8 Discussion 1 Responses
As a student there has been classes where the instructor graded on a curve. Students get excited when the instructor announces this news as it signals students the grading for the class will be lenient. It also indicates the class is challenging in nature and will take time for students to adapt to material.
I support the practice of grading on a curve. If majority of the class is expected to pass with average grades, then the bell curve is useful. Normally, the class is designed for a higher level of education that requires a mastery level completion of prerequisites. On the website Througheducation.com states “when used correctly curing can benefit students and ensure that all students receive the same standardized scores” (Througheducaiton.com, 2019). Is majority of the class receiving a C average in an exam then this allows for more extra credit points to be allocated to the few students who received a grade above 90 percent. Personally, when I noticed the distribution of points it motivated me to always strive for a higher percentage on my exam as the extra credit points were used for the final exam. This means for students who always studied to receive an A on their exams had enough extra credit points to fail the final exam, which is worth a lot of points, and still receive a final grade of 90 percent or above for the class. While the students who opted to continuously strive for an average grade are required to study for the final to receive an A in the class. In other words, curving for a grade can promote competition. However, only for those students that respond to this effect of the practice. For other students it is ok to only receive an average grade and it can have the opposite effect.
Nasim Shahangian
Students’ grades are for two main purposes. One of them is to certify the mastery on a given subject and the second is to compare students when selecting them for jobs and colleges (Calsamiglia & Loviglio, 2019). Grading on a curve involves assigning grades to students based on their performance relative to their peers as opposed to an absolute standard. In such a system, the distribution of grades is like a bell curve where a certain number of students receive each grade such as A, B, and C regardless of the overall difficulty of the assignment. I support grading on a curve as it promotes fairness and academic standards, and fosters healthy competition among students.
Grading on a curve is fair as it takes into account the varying levels of difficulty of different assessments and the unique abilities of each student. Since some classes may have challenging or relatively easier exams than others, comparing students to their peers rather than having a fixed standard accommodates such variations and ensures that students are evaluated fairly in context. Additionally, grading on a curve helps maintain consistency in academic standards across different semesters, courses, and instructors. It ensures that inflation of grades is avoided in the event of an easier exam which would undermine the value of the degree. Lastly, this system prepares students for real-world competition. In the real world, individuals are measured against their peers. Grading on a curve reflects this reality and helps students develop resilience and a competitive edge that is valuable in the future of their careers.
NURS 535 Week 8 Discussion 2 Responses
Role playing-Students learn from active participation in classroom activities. Role playing does not only allow me to evaluate my students, but it also enhances knowledge and skill retention among students.
Journals-Through journals, students can complete self evaluation of their clinical performance. During this time, students will talk about the activities they participate in during their clinical rotations. They will reflect on their strengths, weaknesses and what they need to work on to enhance their skills. I will also be able to evaluate my students’ performance through journals. What the students say about their learning experience is very important as it allows me to identify the students’ needs.
Concept maps-Through concept maps, I can evaluate a student’s ability to apply critical thinking in creating a care plan for their patients. The students will be able to identify problems and create nursing diagnosis. From their diagnosis they can come up with a care plan that can be used to manage their patients’ disease process.
Three clinical evaluation strategies that are fair and accurate to measure student learning and determine their competency and safety in the clinical setting are observation, written communication, and simulations.
The first strategy, observation, was chosen because it is the first thing a clinical evaluator notice about you. Any evaluator would look at your performance and how you handle yourself at that moment to see if you have what it takes. More specifically, checklists can be followed through to evaluate your performance. Using checklists lets evaluators know if you can perform a procedure correctly and safely, especially in a clinical setting (Billings & Halstead, 2016). My personal philosophy of teaching is very interactive, so you would expect me as the evaluator to be very involved when I’m observing a student perform a clinical activity because, after all, we want the client to have a great experience that is safe and accurate.
Second strategy is written communication can be electronic or paper-based (Billings & Halstead, 2016). I chose this strategy because it allows the evaluator to understand the student’s mind. When reviewing a student’s care plan, the evaluator can either tell if the student is thinking critically with the ability to transcribe in their own words what was learned or far off from the topic (Billings & Halstead, 2016). My personal philosophy of teaching allows me to be flexible using all sorts of learning styles. Using written communication, such as care plans, enables the evaluator to see if the student can care for any client safely or will need more time and experience.
Lastly, simulations are also an excellent strategy for instructors to evaluate their students. “Through simulations an instructor can identify specific clinical objectives to be demonstrated and focus on student cognitive and psychomotor behaviors defined for the case” (Billings & Halstead, 2016). Because learning is conducted in a safe environment, the student can gain experience in different types of settings. Therefore, education is structured and deemed safe, providing opportunities for students to practice in a positive learning environment without outside distractions (Billings & Halstead, 2016). Again, my personal philosophy of teaching involves active participation. This strategy will allow my students to be more hands-on and most likely enable my students to retain the information being taught.
NURS 540 Week 8 Discussion 1 Responses
“EBP refers to using the best available evidence for decision-making and providing efficient and effective care for patients on a scientific basis. Systematic implementation of EBP can enhance healthcare safety and improve patient outcomes.” Li et al. (2019)
“Integrating evidence-based practice (EBP) into the daily practice of healthcare professionals has the potential to improve the practice environment and patient outcomes. Nurses must build their knowledge, standardize practice, and improve patient outcomes.” Abu-Baker et al. (2021). According to the same article, incorporating evidence-based practice into nursing education is pivotal to nurturing competent, informed, and compassionate nurses. Equipping them with the skills to access, appraise, and apply evidence empowers them to advance nursing science, enhance practice, and directly impact patient outcomes. Nursing education lays the groundwork for a profession that embraces future challenges while delivering the highest standard of care by providing a culture of inquiry and critical thinking.
According to Tappen (2016), in order to provide effective treatment, it is important to evaluate all relevant studies and assess their suitability for a particular patient, setting, and circumstance. This is the core principle of the evidence-based practice movement. Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a critical approach that prioritizes the integration of the most reliable and current evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to guide clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes. Through EBP, healthcare practitioners can ensure that their decisions are grounded in the best evidence available, leading to more effective treatments and interventions and improved patient outcomes, reduced morbidity, and enhanced quality of life. By relying on evidence-based guidelines and protocols, healthcare practitioners can also reduce the likelihood of medical errors and adverse events, ensuring that patients receive safe and effective care. EBP empowers healthcare practitioners to make informed decisions by integrating the best available evidence with their clinical expertise and patient values. This collaborative approach increases the likelihood of choosing the most appropriate and effective treatment options, ensuring patients receive the best care.
In healthcare, relying on trustworthy information is crucial, especially regarding evidence-based practice. This is where reliable, evidence-based sources come in handy. They provide practitioners with accurate and dependable information that can be confidently relied upon. One such widely used source is PubMed, which offers access to a vast collection of medical literature, including peer-reviewed research articles and systematic reviews. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) provides various evidence-based resources, such as PubMed Central, ClinicalTrials.gov, and evidence-based guidelines. These resources are expertly developed by reputable organizations and panels, offering evidence-based recommendations for specific medical conditions or interventions.
NURS 540 Week 8 Discussion 2 Responses
Researchers must conduct research responsibly for it to have an impact and to safeguard trust in science (Antes & Maggi, 2021). Before now, I had, at one time or another, tried my hands on some forms of writing, but not as extensive as working on a research paper like in the past eight weeks. I had always dreaded it, but I knew there was no way I would avoid it if I were to bag a postgraduate degree. I have learned much about literature review and research conduction in the past eight weeks. Although challenging, I am confident about developing a research proposal as part of my future career as a nurse researcher. I intend to continue to build on the knowledge I have acquired in this course.
The most challenging aspect of research conduction as a starter is data collection and gathering participants.
The act of developing a research proposal in the future seems challenging, but with the right motivation I believe that I could do it. As future APRNs, conducting research or assisting in research is one of our many responsibilities as advanced providers, so that we can help further the medical practice and provide more efficient, safe, and holistic care to our patients. I think that the challenging aspect would be to find appropriate resources and funding to conduct research as well as determining what area of practice would benefit the most from the time spent conducting the research. In regard to my own concerns regarding research, I think that getting started is the hardest part. But, once the ball starts rolling, I think that it would be much easier to finish conducting research. However, I am a bit of a perfectionist so I like to make sure that everything is ready and everything is done appropriately, which may cause some delay in starting the research while I prepare everything.
