Northeast State (NESCC) Nursing Specific Program Outcomes (NESCC POs) 

NESCC POs were established by the nursing faculty. These outcomes align with the College’s vision (best prepared students and graduates to meet current and emergent needs) and strategic goals (access, student success, quality, and resourcefulness/efficiency).  An additional division-specific program outcome identifies the importance of the graduate’s ability to assume the three roles of the associate degree nurse, which aligns with the nursing curriculum framework. Emphasis is placed on increasing access, increasing eligibility, exceeding mean scores, maintaining accreditation, promoting articulation, and preparing graduates. The NESCC POs are as follows:

1. Increase access for the residents of Northeast Tennessee to nursing education.
2. Increase the number of students eligible to take the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
3. Graduate students who meet or exceed the state and national mean score on the National Council Licensure Examination – Registered Nurse (NCLEX-RN).
4. Achieve and maintain accreditation through Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
5. Promote through articulation, career mobility initiatives, and employment partnerships the importance of and need for associate degree nurses to pursue baccalaureate (and graduate) level degrees in nursing.
6. Graduate students who are prepared to assume the roles of associate degree nurse:  Provider of Care, Manager of Care, and Member of the Discipline of Nursing. Provider of Care requires using nursing process in decision making to promote optimum wellness. Manager of Care requires communication and collaboration with other members of the health care team and the client in order to manage care. Member of the Discipline of Nursing requires demonstrating a commitment to the profession as evidenced by lifelong learning, adherence to professional behaviors and ethical standards. 

Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN) Specific Program Outcomes (ACEN POs) 

ACEN Specific POs (ACEN Specific) are based on the ACEN standards and criteria with specific outcomes related to performance on licensure exam (NCLEX-RN), program completion, graduate program satisfaction, employer program satisfaction, and job placement rates.  Specific criteria and ELoAs for each are below.

• Criterion 6.4.1 - Performance on licensure exam: The program's 3-year mean for the licensure exam pass rate will be at or above the national mean for the same 3-year period.
  • NeSCC NCLEX-RN first time pass rate 3-year mean will be > 85%.
  • NeSCC NCLEX-RN first time pass rate 3-year mean will be > National first time NCLEX-RN pass rates.
  • NeSCC NCLEX-RN first time pass rate 3-year mean will be > National first time NCLEX-RN pass rates. 
   

• Criterion 6.4.2 - Program completion: Expected levels of achievement for program completion are determined by the faculty and reflect student demographics and program options.
  • >75% of students will complete the nursing curriculum within six semesters of acceptance into the program 
   

• Criterion 6.4.3 - Graduate Program Satisfaction: Qualitative and quantitative measures address graduates six to twelve months post-graduation.
  • >75% of the graduates’ responses for overall program rating will be scored positively (“good”, “very good” or “excellent”) 
   

• Criterion 6.4.4 - Employer Program Satisfaction: Qualitative and quantitative measures address employer satisfaction with graduate preparation for entry-level positions six to twelve months post-graduation.
  • >75% of the employer’ responses for overall program rating will be scored positively (“good”, “very good” or “excellent”) 
   

• Criterion 6.4.5 - Job Placement Rates: Expected levels of achievement are determined by the faculty and are addressed through quantified measures six to twelve months post-graduation.
  • >75% of graduates will be placed into an RN position six to twelve months post-graduation.   
   

Northeast State Nursing Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) 

The Nursing SLOs are reasonable, appropriate, comprehensive, clear, and concise and are a measure student progression towards the attainment of the RSGCs.  These competencies are an integral part of the program’s curricular framework, and are clearly articulated in each NURS course syllabus, especially in the course descriptions, course objectives, course assignments, and clinical evaluation tools. Although the SLOs are worded as “By the end of the program…”, SLO data is collected, trended, and analyzed each semester with an established ELoA for each core competency. This analysis provides information regarding the achievement of SLOs as the student progresses throughout the program. This is an early detection of student strengths and weaknesses. When a weakness is identified, remediation and intervention occur. Strengths lead to the attainment of RSCGs.                 

Northeast State Nursing Role-Specific Graduate Competencies (RSGCs) 

The NESCC Nursing Division’s RSGCs measure the graduate’s achievement of the NLN Central Competencies, which are basic to the practice of ADN. RSGC data is collected from three tools (national, standardized tests; graduate surveys; and employer surveys) upon completion of the program. Analysis of this data identifies strengths and weaknesses in the curriculum and/or program.