Evaluation of students and evaluation of the Program by students are both integral parts of a successful nurse anesthesia program. Evaluation of students’ clinical psychomotor, cognitive, and affective skills is accomplished using a variety of evaluation tools and indicators. These evaluation tools and indicators include the following:
Formative Clinical Performance Evaluation (daily at the Novice level and random at the Advanced Beginner and Proficient levels)
Student Self-Evaluations (at mid-term and end of each clinical semester)
Summative Clinical Performance Evaluation (mid-term and end of each clinical semester)
Review of any reported unusual clinical event involving patient care Student achievement in didactic courses
Student performance on the Comprehensive Exam
Student performance in the Skills & Simulation Laboratory
Student completion of the criteria for graduation from the Program
Student evaluations are the responsibility of the Program faculty, Affiliate Clinical Coordinator and the Department Chair. In the event there are any areas of concern, input is obtained from didactic and clinical faculty members/instructors.
In addition to evaluations of students, feedback from students is sought through a variety of evaluations. These include: course evaluations, faculty evaluations, program evaluations, clinical site evaluations, capstone advisor evaluations and graduate evaluations.
Many of the evaluations are conducted online through the Typhon system and KUMC Teaching & Learning Technologies survey system. Copies of all evaluations used in the program are available in the Nurse Anesthesia office.
EVALUATION OF STUDENTS IN DIDACTIC COURSES
Student performance in didactic courses is graded by predetermined performance criteria on quizzes, examinations, scholarly papers, presentations, research analyses, research utilization papers, and in some online courses through Web-based discussion. Grading methodology for each course will be clearly described in course syllabi and will be applied consistently.
EVALUATION OF STUDENTS IN CLINICAL PRACTICUM COURSES
Student performance in clinical practicum courses is assessed by CRNA or Anesthesiologist clinical faculty using the Clinical Performance Evaluation form. This is a formative performance assessment that evaluates the student’s clinical performance in the areas of cognitive, psychomotor and affective behaviors. During the novice phase evaluation will be daily; during Advanced Beginner and Proficient phases it will be on a random basis.
Clinical conferences occur between the student and their assigned CRNA Faculty Advisor at mid-term and the end of each Fall and Spring semester and at the end of each Summer semester. A Summative Evaluation is completed that reflects the student’s accumulated formative performance scores reflecting the student’s progress inclusive of student weaknesses and strengths. The overall assessment and course grade is based upon cumulative Clinical Performance Evaluation performance scores. In addition to the Summative Evaluation the student’s Self-Evaluation is discussed during the conference.
SELF-EVALUATION BY STUDENTS
Written self-evaluations are completed by students, and the results are used for validation of the student’s strengths and strategies for improvement. The self- evaluation process is utilized for individual student improvement in the Program and is not included in a student’s grade for the course. This process provides documentation to students on an ongoing basis related to the objectives they have established for themselves, and an opportunity for the clinical faculty to provide specific suggestions and/or guidance.
Beginning with NURA 801 Introduction to Clinical Practicum students are required to complete a self-evaluation at mid-term and the end of each semester. They review their self-evaluation with their assigned faculty advisor.
CLINICAL SITE EVALUATION
Students are required to evaluate the clinical sites assigned during each semester. The Department Chair reviews the evaluations and shares a composite report with the respective sites. If corrective action is indicated, approval and authorization to take such action is received from Program Administration.
COURSE EVALUATIONS
Students are required to evaluate each course enrolled in at the end of the semester. Individual student responses are anonymous. The evaluation data are aggregated and the results are sent to the Department Chair and the course instructor. If corrective
action is indicated the Department Chair and Course Instructor determine such action and present the proposed actions to the Faculty and Curriculum Committees.
PROGRAM EVALUATION
All enrolled students and faculty are required to evaluate the Nurse Anesthesia Program annually. This evaluation provides the student with an opportunity to do a summative evaluation of the program of study (didactic and clinical) and provide suggestions for improvement(s) in the Program. Individual student responses are anonymous. A composite report of responses is presented to the Faculty and Curriculum Committees. If corrective action is indicated, authorization to take such action is received from the Program Administration.
CLINICAL FACULTY EVALUATIONS
Students complete an evaluation of clinical faculty for each practicum course taken. This includes an evaluation of each CRNA or Anesthesiologist clinical faculty that they have worked with during the semester. In addition to responding to the statements, students can add comments. Individual student responses are anonymous.
The evaluation data are aggregated and the results are sent to the Program Director, the Chair of Anesthesiology and the relevant faculty member. The Program Director reviews the evaluation(s), and when necessary, conducts a private conference with the Clinical Coordinator of the clinical site and/or an individual instructor. Results are used as part of the Continuous Program Self-Assessment Plan of the Program and the identification of areas needing improvement for the course and/or instructor.
FACULTY EVALUATIONS
All faculty are required to assess their personal performance at the end of each academic year in association with their annual merit review.
GRADUATE EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM
An evaluation form is sent to each graduate at one year following graduation evaluating the quality of the program in professional preparation.
EMPLOYER EVALUATION OF THE PROGRAM
Employers of graduates are sent a form to evaluate program graduates at one year following graduation evaluating the quality of the program in professional preparation.