Adapting for Tomorrow: LCON Curriculum Changes
In the ever-evolving field of healthcare, LCON leaders believe it is imperative that our nursing educational programs align with the dynamic healthcare landscape. To ensure our students are prepared to excel as future nursing professionals, our nursing programs have undergone significant curriculum changes that align with best practices at the national level. These changes encompass both undergraduate and graduate programs and have been designed to prepare our students for success in the healthcare industry.
Undergraduate Programs: Bridging Tradition and Progress
Our undergraduate nursing programs have successfully implemented a revised traditional/accelerated curriculum, a pivotal step in aligning with best practices in nursing education. These changes were not only met with enthusiasm from students and faculty but were also acknowledged and accepted by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE) and the Tennessee Board of Nursing (TN BON).
One of the most exciting aspects of these curriculum changes is the introduction of brand-new elective courses. These courses are currently in the approval process, and they promise to provide a unique educational experience that will set our undergraduate students apart in their future careers. These electives aim to address emerging trends and healthcare challenges, equipping our students with the knowledge and skills needed to excel in a rapidly changing field. The elective courses include options in wound care, sexual and gender minority nursing, workplace civility, emergency and trauma nursing, and several others. These electives allow students to choose a more custom plan of study to prepare them for an exciting career in nursing and with the skills to best serve our community.
Another significant change is the complete overhaul of the RN-BSN track. This revision will streamline the educational experience for students seeking to complete their BSN, while also creating pathways for those aspiring to bridge into our MSN and doctoral programs. LCON has a long-standing and very successful RN-BSN program that has always sought to meet the growing needs for expanding the education and scope for practicing nurses. The program has national recognition in its partnership with regional community colleges in unique articulation agreements. The revisions to this program will further improve this program to ensure it remains flexible and caters to a wide range of students, helping them advance their careers in a way that best suits their needs.
Graduate Programs: Expanding Horizons
In our graduate nursing programs, we embrace changes that reflect best practices at the national level to offer an exceptional educational experience and produce top-notch practitioners, educators, leaders, and researchers. Core courses in the MSN program are revised to meet the evolving demands of healthcare and to align with national level nursing competencies. Additionally, we are introducing a new nurse leader concentration that will equip our graduate students with the skills needed to excel in leadership positions within the healthcare system.
Furthermore, we are expanding our advanced practice concentrations to include Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner and Adult Gerontology-Acute Care Nurse Practitioner. These additions respond to the growing need for specialized providers in these fields, positioning our graduates as essential contributors to mental health and acute/critical care in our community and state.
For those looking to pursue a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) degree, we are in the final stages of a DNP revision. This revision is geared toward addressing the pressing shortage of psych-mental health providers in our community and state. It will equip our graduates with the specialized knowledge and skills to meet this critical need.
Last but not least, our Ph.D. program is nearing the end of the university-level submission, review, and approval process. This includes the exciting BSN-PhD track, which will create a seamless pathway for motivated students to advance their nursing careers while contributing to the field's body of knowledge through research.
The curriculum changes across our nursing programs represent a comprehensive effort to align with the best practices in nursing education at the national level. These changes have been met with enthusiasm, support, and recognition from accrediting bodies, and they position our students to excel in a dynamic healthcare landscape. As we continue to adapt and grow, we remain dedicated to providing high-quality nursing education that prepares our students to become leaders, innovators, and compassionate healthcare professionals, addressing the evolving healthcare needs of our community and state. With a focus on excellence, our nursing programs continue to empower the nurses of the future, making a meaningful impact on healthcare and patient outcomes.