The 2021 AACN Essentials provide a transformative framework for nursing education. These updated standards emphasize competency-based learning, ensuring that nursing graduates are prepared to meet the demands of modern healthcare.
But incorporating these competencies into your RN to BSN program can feel like a daunting task. Where do the competencies align with existing courses? Are they leveled appropriately? And how can you track their distribution across your curriculum?
Our new Sample Curriculum Map Tool is here to help. Designed with efficiency and accuracy in mind, this resource allows your program to seamlessly integrate the 2021 AACN Essentials competencies by course. With just a few inputs, the tool calculates the total competencies addressed by each course and across the program. This feature saves time, enabling you to focus on leveling competencies appropriately and identifying any gaps or redundancies within the curriculum.
Whether you’re revising your curriculum or building one from the ground up, this will reduce the stress when aligning your courses with AACN standards.
Competency by Essentials Curriculum Map
Step 1: Download the Worksheet
Download the Curriculum Map below. The download consists of one Excel sheet that you can use to complete the competency mapping. The excel contains all 10 Domains and sub-sections listed in the columns.
Step 2: Select a Competency Scale
The excel sheet contains sample scales. The first cell lists the scales, the example lists, 0 – Needs improvement to 5 – Expert. This can be updated to align with the scale your program has selected to use.
Step 3: Complete the Worksheet
Enter in each course code and title in the space provided. Plan an X under each course based on the course type. For each course place an X or the scale value you would like to use. Once completed, the excel will automatically calculate all competencies in each course and how many times a competency was utilized in the program.
This tool is an easy to use resource and can help align AACN Essentials in a single source. By entering just a few details, the tool calculates the total competencies covered in each course and throughout the program. This functionality saves you time, allowing you to concentrate on appropriately leveling competencies and pinpointing any gaps or overlaps in the curriculum.
