Evaluation of an innovative curriculum: nursing education in the next century

The present research focused on an interim evaluation of a new nursing curr iculum made by first- and second-year undergraduates. Study 1 examined the assessments made by 90 students of the new, actual programme of their studi es, as well as an ideal one, on 21 bipolar criteria reflecting the developi ng changes in health care practices and higher educational processes in wes tern society. The results of study 1 indicated that students perceived the actual programme as compatible with health care changes, but lacking in ter ms of the learning process. Study 2 investigated the same assessments among 105 registered nurses who evaluated the traditional nursing programme unde r which they were trained as well as an ideal one. The results of study 2 s howed that registered nurses perceived past curricula as lower than the ide al on both health care and process of learning. The results of this interim evaluation imply that the new nursing curriculum follows health care trend s, but a shift in the educational process is required.