C922 Emerging Trends and Challenges in 21st Century Nursing Education

Correct Answer

C. Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Explanation

The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a terminal degree and is a step beyond a Master’s level program. It focuses on clinical practice-oriented leadership training and advanced practice. In contrast, the MSN is a graduate degree that can focus on various roles such as Nurse Educator, CNM, or APRN.

Why other options are wrong

A. Nurse Educator

This is a valid focus of an MSN program. Many MSN students choose this path to teach nursing students in academic or clinical settings.

B. Certified Nurse Midwife (CNM)

The CNM role is an advanced practice nursing role that can be pursued through an MSN program, qualifying it as an appropriate focus area.

D. Advanced Practice Nurse (APRN)

APRN is an umbrella term that includes Nurse Practitioners, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Nurse Anesthetists, and Nurse Midwives. MSN degrees often serve as the educational route to becoming an APRN.

Correct Answer

C. Clients are more informed but may struggle to discern reliable information.

Explanation

The internet has made vast amounts of information readily available to clients, which has made them more informed. However, not all information found online is reliable or accurate. Clients may struggle to distinguish trustworthy sources from misleading ones. Therefore, nurses play an important role in guiding clients toward evidence-based information and helping them understand and apply it in their health decisions.

Why other options are wrong

A. Nurses are now the sole providers of health information.

This is incorrect because, while nurses still play an essential role in educating clients, they are no longer the sole providers of health information. The internet has democratized access to health information, with clients often seeking information from various sources.

B. Nurses no longer need to educate clients about health.

This is incorrect because the role of nurses in client education is more important than ever. Although clients have access to more information, nurses are crucial in ensuring that information is accurate, applicable, and tailored to the individual's needs.

D. The internet has eliminated the need for any client education.

This is incorrect because while the internet provides access to information, it does not replace the personalized education that nurses offer. Nurses provide context, clarification, and tailored advice that the internet cannot fully replicate.

Correct Answer

B. Technological constraints and communication gaps

Explanation

Shorey et al. (2019) identified technological constraints and communication gaps as significant challenges in the development of digital learning tools. These barriers can hinder the effectiveness of digital learning platforms, as they may not meet the technical needs of students or educators, or fail to communicate complex clinical scenarios clearly.

Why other options are wrong

A. Lack of interest from students

This option is incorrect because the issue identified by Shorey et al. (2019) was not a lack of student interest. In fact, virtual patient simulations are designed to engage students by offering realistic, interactive learning experiences that encourage interest and participation.

C. Overly simplistic software design

This option is incorrect because the challenge is not overly simplistic design, but rather the technological limitations and communication barriers that can make digital learning tools less effective. Simple designs are not necessarily a problem; instead, it is the inability to integrate complex clinical scenarios effectively that poses a challenge.

D. Excessive funding for projects

This option is incorrect because excessive funding is not the issue identified. The challenge lies in the practical and technological aspects of creating digital learning tools, not the availability of financial resources. The focus is on improving the functionality and communication of these tools.

Correct Answer

C. The current program could not adequately meet the needs

Explanation

The outcome of the discussions and evaluations indicated that the current program was not sufficient to meet the needs of the nursing program moving forward. Both IT personnel and nursing educators identified gaps in the existing technology infrastructure and recognized the need for updates and improvements to better support nursing education.

Why other options are wrong

A. The current program was deemed sufficient for future use

This option is incorrect because the meetings revealed that the current program was inadequate and unable to meet future needs. The conclusion was that updates and improvements were necessary to address the gaps.

B. The nursing educators decided to discontinue technology use

This option is incorrect because the nursing educators did not decide to discontinue the use of technology. Instead, they sought to upgrade and improve the technology used in the program to better support education and clinical practice.

D. The IT department was disbanded due to inefficiency

This option is incorrect because there is no indication that the IT department was disbanded. The discussions focused on upgrading technology, not eliminating the IT department, which played a crucial role in the analysis and future planning.

Correct Answer

B. The study was conducted with only second-year nursing students in a single course.

Explanation

Padilha et al. (2019) mentioned that a limitation of their study was its focus on only second-year nursing students from a single course. This restricted the generalizability of the findings, as the results were based on a specific group of students, which may not reflect the broader experiences or outcomes for students at other stages of their education or in other courses.

Why other options are wrong

A. The study included students from multiple nursing programs

This option is incorrect because the study did not include students from multiple nursing programs. Including students from various programs would have broadened the study's scope and potentially improved the generalizability of the findings, which was not identified as a limitation.

C. The study was conducted over several years with diverse student populations

This option is incorrect because it contradicts the actual limitation discussed by the authors. Padilha et al. (2019) did not conduct the study over several years or with diverse student populations. Instead, the limitation was the homogeneity of the sample—second-year nursing students in one course.

D. The study focused on first-year nursing students only

This option is incorrect because the study focused on second-year nursing students, not first-year students. The limitation was specifically about the restricted sample of second-year students, so this option does not align with the study's actual limitations.

Correct Answer

A. DBPS is as effective as traditional learning and more effective than it in improving knowledge.

Explanation

The findings suggest that Digital Based Patient Simulations (DBPS) are not only as effective as traditional methods but in some cases more effective in enhancing students' knowledge. These simulations offer a dynamic learning environment that mimics real-life clinical situations, helping students develop both theoretical understanding and practical problem-solving skills. As such, DBPS provides an engaging, interactive learning experience that can be more impactful than traditional methods alone.

Why other options are wrong

B. DBPS is only effective for theoretical knowledge, not practical skills.

This option is incorrect because DBPS is proven to improve both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. By simulating real-world scenarios, DBPS enhances students' decision-making and clinical skills, not just their theoretical understanding of nursing concepts.

C. DBPS has no significant impact on students' learning outcomes compared to traditional methods.

This option is wrong as the findings indicate that DBPS has a positive impact on learning outcomes. The simulations offer unique advantages over traditional methods, especially in terms of providing hands-on experience in a safe, controlled environment that may not be available in real-life settings.

D. DBPS is less effective than traditional learning methods in all aspects.

This is not accurate, as the findings show that DBPS can be more effective than traditional methods, particularly in areas like knowledge retention and practical skills development. Traditional learning methods alone cannot provide the same level of interactive engagement and simulation-based practice that DBPS offers.

Correct Answer

C. They install and integrate the new software program onto the network.

Explanation

In the context of new technology implementation, one of the key roles of IT personnel is to install and integrate the new software into the network. They ensure that the technology functions properly within the existing infrastructure, addressing any technical issues that may arise during implementation. This allows nursing staff and students to utilize the new technology effectively in their educational and clinical activities.

Why other options are wrong

A. They create the nursing curriculum from scratch.

This option is incorrect because the creation of the nursing curriculum is typically the responsibility of nursing educators, not IT personnel. IT personnel support the curriculum by ensuring that technology is integrated effectively but do not design the educational content itself.

B. They assess the emotional readiness of nursing students.

This option is incorrect because IT personnel are not responsible for assessing students’ emotional readiness. Their role is to handle the technical aspects of technology implementation, while assessments of emotional readiness fall under the domain of educators or counselors.

D. They conduct all nursing training sessions for students.

This option is incorrect because conducting nursing training sessions is the responsibility of nursing educators, not IT personnel. IT personnel provide the technical support needed to enable the use of technology during training sessions but do not lead the actual educational activities.

Correct Answer

B. To develop clinical reasoning, knowledge base, and skills.

Explanation

Shorey et al. (2019) highlight that virtual patients in medical education are primarily used to develop clinical reasoning, enhance the knowledge base, and refine practical skills. Virtual patients offer students the opportunity to engage in complex, realistic clinical scenarios where they can practice decision-making, diagnosis, and treatment planning without risk to real patients. This method helps bridge the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application.

Why other options are wrong

A. To provide entertainment during training sessions.

This option is incorrect because virtual patients are not intended to serve as entertainment. They are serious educational tools designed to help students gain practical clinical experience in a controlled, risk-free environment.

C. To focus solely on administrative tasks in healthcare education.

This option is incorrect because virtual patients are not intended for administrative purposes. They are primarily used for clinical education, helping students develop their clinical skills and reasoning, not for handling non-educational tasks.

D. To replace real patients in all clinical settings.

This option is incorrect because virtual patients are not designed to replace real patients entirely. Instead, they supplement real patient interactions, providing students with additional opportunities to practice and learn without the constraints of clinical settings. Virtual patients are a tool for enhancing education, not a substitute for actual clinical experience.

Correct Answer

C. By ensuring alignment with community health curriculum objectives

Explanation

The DCE proposal aligns with community health curriculum objectives by emphasizing the importance of community-based healthcare in its digital simulations. It ensures that students understand the broader context of healthcare beyond individual patient care, integrating the needs and perspectives of community health into the learning experience. This approach allows nursing students to better address public health challenges in a more comprehensive way.

Why other options are wrong

A. By focusing only on individual patient care without community context

This option is incorrect because the DCE does not solely focus on individual patient care. While individual care is essential, the DCE emphasizes a holistic approach, ensuring that students consider community health in their clinical simulations.

B. By prioritizing technology over patient-centered care

This option is incorrect because the DCE integrates technology in a way that enhances, rather than diminishes, patient-centered care. The goal is not to prioritize technology but to use it as a tool to better prepare students for real-world clinical scenarios, focusing on both patient and community needs.

D. By eliminating the need for interprofessional collaboration

This option is incorrect because the DCE promotes interprofessional collaboration rather than eliminating it. Successful healthcare delivery requires teamwork, and the DCE encourages collaboration among healthcare providers, making it a key aspect of nursing education.