Charlotte Ann Syme
British Columbia Institute of Technology, Canada
Title: Curriculum renewal at the British Columbia Institute of Technology, school of health sciences - nursing: Leading the way in student-centered, industry-responsive pedagogy
Biography
Biography: Charlotte Ann Syme
Abstract
The curriculum framework of the British Columbia Institute of Technology’s (BCIT) Baccalaureate in Science of Nursing (BSN) program is presented in this paper. Background, in relation to healthcare forces impacting nursing education and the assumptions underpinning the curriculum renewal process are provided. The guiding principles for this program are: Excellence in nursing education; fostering a culture of safety and quality in nursing practice; inclusive, active and learner-centered learning environments; optimization of the health of society and commitment to partnership. This curriculum establishes a program of study that utilizes concepts to frame acquisition of nursing knowledge. It is integrated, spiraled, and organized around building learner competencies such that a BCIT BSN graduate is a professional nurse capable of delivering safe, ethical, competent and compassionate care. The attributes of a BCIT BSN graduate are: Leader; Professional; Advocate; Lifelong Learner; Collaborator; Communicator and Global Citizen. The curriculum, designed for relevance and sustainability, frames the learning experience such that learners will be prepared for both current and evolving demands and realities of nursing practice. It is linked to the mandates of the BCIT 2014-2019 strategic plan and evolved from the 2014 BSN program’s strategic plan objective to “engage in renewal towards an innovative and dynamic curriculum.” The paper will share the process of determining the need for curriculum renewal, engaging in the process of curriculum design, fostering skills in our faculty of instructional design with use of learner-engaging teaching strategies, and the introduction and evaluation of the new program of study.