American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.doc

AACN Mission

Patients and their families rely on nurses at the most vulnerable times of their lives. Acute and

critical care nurses rely on AACN for expert knowledge and the influence to fulfill their promise

to patients and their families. AACN drives excellence because nothing less is acceptable.

AACN Vision

AACN is dedicated to creating a healthcare systemdriven by the needs of patients and families

where acute and critical care nurses make theiroptimal contribution.

PREFACE

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is committed to professional development activities that assist critical care nurses in contributing to the care of acute and critically ill patients and their families. Our Continuing Nursing Education (CNE) Program Approval staff reviews a variety of course offerings to verify that they meet professional education standards. Programs may provide participants with contact hours for: (1) voluntary certification or recertification requirements, such as CERPs (including Synergy); (2) institutional continuing education requirements; and (3) renewal of licensure (check with your State Board of Nursing).

AACN's CNE Program Approval activities are not affiliated with, or accredited by, any other nursing organization. “AACN approval” signifies that the program has undergone review by AACN staff and has met our requirements. AACN does not guarantee that other organizations, institutions, or state boards of nursing will accept contact hours from AACN-approved programs.

The CNE Program Approval option provides approval of a single educational program for one year. The program may be presented an unlimited number of times during the approval period.

Changes have been made to our approval process. Highlights include:

The Provider Status offering is discontinued effective January 2008 Non-AACN forms are not permitted Contact hours are awarded by CNE rather than CE New Synergy CERP categorization effective 2010 is added New blackout dates are included The processing fees and timelines for standard and RUSH! approval are revised RUSH! Service is no longer available for self-paced programs Provisional approval is no longer available Typed applications are strongly preferred

Please review the updated CNE Program Approval Guidelines thoroughly to become familiar with all of our current policies and procedures, even if you have been approved as a sponsor in the past.

If you have any questions, please visit our website at www.aacn.org or contact the Program Approval Division.

American Association of Critical-Care NursesCNE Program Approval101 Columbia Aliso Viejo, CA 92656 Phone: (800) 809-2273Fax: (949) 448-5513 Email: [email protected]

http://www.aacn.org/

TABLE OF CONTENTS(Press the control button and right click on topic to follow link)

GENERAL INFORMATION........................................................................................................................................6

Eligibility..................................................................................................................................................................6

Contact Hours........................................................................................................................................................6

Schedule of Fees...................................................................................................................................................7

CATEGORIES FOR CNE CONTACT HOURS AND CERPS..............................................................................8

2009 (Current).........................................................................................................................................................8Category A...........................................................................................................................................................8Category O..........................................................................................................................................................8

2010 (Future)...........................................................................................................................................................9Category A...........................................................................................................................................................9

Clinical Judgment...........................................................................................................................................9Clinical Inquiry (or Innovator/Evaluator).....................................................................................................9

Category B...........................................................................................................................................................9Advocacy/Moral Agency...............................................................................................................................9Caring Practices...........................................................................................................................................10Response to Diversity.................................................................................................................................10Facilitation of Learning (or Patient/Family Educator).............................................................................10

Category C.........................................................................................................................................................11Collaboration.................................................................................................................................................11Systems Thinking.........................................................................................................................................11

POLICIES....................................................................................................................................................................12

Submission Details.............................................................................................................................................12Blackout Dates..................................................................................................................................................12Application Withdrawal and Resubmission..................................................................................................12

Approval Status...................................................................................................................................................12Modifications to Approved Programs............................................................................................................13Advertising Language......................................................................................................................................13Record Keeping................................................................................................................................................13Program Renewal.............................................................................................................................................13

CNE Certificates..................................................................................................................................................13Instructions for Awarding CNE Certificates..................................................................................................14Orders for AACN Certificates..........................................................................................................................14

PROGRAM APPROVAL PROCESS......................................................................................................................15

Application............................................................................................................................................................15

INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION........................................................17

Application............................................................................................................................................................17

Program Information Form...............................................................................................................................17Program Description........................................................................................................................................17Participant Learning Objectives......................................................................................................................17Content (Topic Outline)....................................................................................................................................18Bibliography/Reference List............................................................................................................................18

AACN Continuing Nursing Education Guidelines © 2009 5

Biographical Data Form...................................................................................................................................18Learning Evaluation Tool.................................................................................................................................18Program and Speaker Evaluation..................................................................................................................18Poster Sessions................................................................................................................................................18

SELF-PACED LEARNING PROGRAMS..............................................................................................................19

Instructions for Form D.....................................................................................................................................19Course Format..................................................................................................................................................19Learner Instructions..........................................................................................................................................19Pilot Test............................................................................................................................................................19Instructional Materials......................................................................................................................................19

Policy......................................................................................................................................................................19

APPENDIX..................................................................................................................................................................20

Bloom's Taxonomy Verbs.................................................................................................................................20


GENERAL INFORMATION

Eligibility

To be eligible for continuing nursing education program approval through the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses, sponsors seeking approval must fall into one of the following four types:

Sponsor Type Descriptions

A AACN chapters offering live programs only

B

Hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities offering live programs only Associations (local, regional, national, or international) offering live programs only Colleges & Universities offering live programs only Independent education consultants offering live programs only

C Private education companies offering live programs only Corporate education consultants offering live programs only Medical device manufacturers offering live programs only

D Any organization offering self-paced learning programs, either exclusively or in addition to live programs

Contact hours are only approved for continuing nursing education activities. Contact hours are not approved for in-service education. The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) defines and distinguishes continuing nursing education content and in-service content in the following manner:

Continuing Nursing Education is the systematic professional learning experience designed to augment the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of nurses and, therefore, enrich the nurses’ contributions to quality healthcare and to their pursuit of professional career goals.

In-Service Education consists of activities intended to assist the professional nurse to acquire, maintain, and/or increase competence in fulfilling nursing responsibilities specific to the expectations of an employer of nurses.

AACN CNE Program Approval, which closely aligns its standards to those of ANCC, will not approve in-service activities.

Contact Hours

One contact hour is equal to 60 minutes of class time, which the educational content, panel discussions, and evaluation period. Registration, introductions, breaks, meals, clinical time, or viewing of exhibits are not included as class time.

Class time is calculated by minutes, divided by sixty (60), and rounded down to the nearest quarter, half or whole.

Example: 4 hours of class time = 260 minutes 60 = 4.33, round down to 4.25


For poster sessions: 10-14 posters = 1.0 contact hour 15-19 posters = 1.5 contact hours 20 + posters = 2.0 contact hours

Schedule of Fees

Use the following table to determine the processing fee amount for an application. Fees are based on sponsor type and the number of contact hours per individual program. Repetitions of the single program are not counted in calculating contact hours.

Contact Hours per Program

Sponsor

A B C D 0.5 – 3.0 $20 $100 $200 $300 3.5 – 10.0 $30 $150 $300 $45010.5 – 17.0 $40 $200 $400 $60017.5 – 24.0 $50 $250 $500 $75024.5 + $60 $300 $600 $900

Processing fees are non-refundable. All fees are subject to change without notice.


CATEGORIES FOR CNE CONTACT HOURS AND CERPS

By January 2010, the Program Approval division will transition from our current system of differentiating between Category A and Category O CNE contact hours, and continuing education recognition points (CERPs) for CCRN® recertification. We are adopting the AACN Certification Corporation Synergy CERP categories for CNE contact hours and CERPS for CCRN ® recertification. Synergy CERP categories are based on the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care. Contact hours are differentiated by Category A, Category B, and Category C.

2009 (Current)

Category APrograms must have direct physiological, psychosocial or ethical application to critically ill patients or families. Acceptable programs include the following:

o Physical assessmento Anatomy, physiology, pathophysiologyo Diagnostic tests used in critical care settings

ABG interpretation Cardiac angiography X-ray and lab interpretation

o Topics related to the critical care area environment, which affect patient care Infection control in the ICU

o Psychological or behavioral responses of critically ill patients and families Sensory deprivation Patient teaching, Nursing diagnosis)

o Therapies, interventions and knowledge vital to critical care patient management Fluid dynamics ACLS ECG/EKG interpretation Nutritional support Pharmacology Pain management

o Core Curriculum review and certification exam review programso Assisting patients and families with difficult decisionso Learning new bedside technologies

Category OPrograms address non-clinical content and/or material appropriate for the general practice of nursing. General examples include:

o Leadershipo Managing nursing staffo Stress management for nurseso Ethicso Holistic/Alternative Therapieso Ethical and legal issues in the critical care unit


2010 (Future)

Below is a quick reference of operational definitions of the 8 nurse characteristics of the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care as they apply to Renewal by Synergy CERPs. These are not intended to be all inclusive but rather a quick guide. Some listings are ongoing learning topics, others, designated by an asterisk (*), are activities.

Category AClinical Judgment

Clinical reasoning, which includes clinical decision-making, critical thinking, and a global grasp of the situation, coupled with nursing skills acquired through a process of integrating education, experiential knowledge, and evidence-based guidelines. Examples include:

o ABG interpretationo BCLS, ACLS, PALSo Clinical Implications of Bioterrorismo ECG/EKG Interpretationo Hemodynamic monitoring o IV Therapyo Nursing diagnosiso Nutrition in critical careo Heart Failure in womeno Bariatric surgeryo Pharmacology (including pain management)o Physical assessmento Pathophysiology/Physiology/Anatomy (any age spectrum)o Core Review/CCRN and PCCN Exam Review*o CCRN and PCCN SAEs*

Clinical Inquiry (or Innovator/Evaluator)The ongoing process of questioning and evaluating practice and providing informed practice. Creating changes through evidence-based practice, research utilization and experiential knowledge.

o Clinical researcho Research processo Evidenced-based practiceo Auditing/prevalence study activities*o Publishing and editing activities*o Evaluating Outcome Data*o Performing a Quality Improvement Project*o Developing a Practice Protocol*

Category BAdvocacy/Moral Agency

Working on another's behalf and representing the concerns of the patient/family and nursing staff; serving as a moral agent in identifying and helping to resolve ethical and clinical concerns within and outside the clinical setting.

o Legal aspects of nursing practiceo Public policy


o Regulatory Issues (HIPAA, JCAHO)o Insurance and Reimbursemento Advanced Directiveso Patient Rightso Value of Certification o Informed Consento Sexual Harassment Trainingo Participating on an Ethics Committee*

Caring Practices

Nursing activities that create a compassionate, supportive, and therapeutic environment for patients and staff, with the aim of promoting comfort and healing and preventing unnecessary suffering. These caring behaviors include but are not limited to vigilance, engagement and responsiveness of caregivers. Caregivers include family and healthcare personnel.

o Comfort Measures o Stress Management/Burnout o Grief and Losso Patient Safety (including fall prevention, body mechanics, infection control)o Palliative Careo Pet Therapyo Family Centered Careo Therapeutic Toucho Therapeutic Communicationo Critical Incident Debriefing*o Participating in a Pet Therapy program*o Facilitating a patient/family support group*

Response to Diversity

The sensitivity to recognize, appreciate, and incorporate differences into the provision of care. Differences may include, but are not limited to, individuality, cultural, spiritual, gender, race, ethnicity, lifestyle, socioeconomic, age and values.

o Foreign or alternate language (medical Spanish; sign language)o Developmental Stages/Age Appropriate Interventions (e.g., play therapy)o Cultural Aspects of Transplantationo Spiritual Considerations of the Dying Patiento Psychosocial Issues of Diverse populations (e.g., aging, obesity, immune suppressed)o Geriatrics – nutrition for the aging populationo Outcomes related to diverse populations/health disparities o Translating documents for patient care/teaching*o Participating on a team or community service related to diversity (serving market segments in

community, multigenerational work force issues, etc).*

Facilitation of Learning (or Patient/Family Educator)

The ability to facilitate learning for patients/families, nursing staff, other members of the healthcare team, and community. Includes both formal and informal facilitation of learning.

o How to conduct a needs assessmento Selecting effective teaching strategies


o Education evaluation methodologyo Adult learning theoryo Developing tools to evaluate learning readiness*o Precepting/Mentorship*o Designing informational aids*o Developing patient education tools*o Teaching courses/inservices/programs*o Participating in a health literacy project*o Developing multimedia learning programs*o Participating in a Health Fair *

Category CCollaboration

Working with others (e.g., patients, families, healthcare providers) in a way that promotes/encourages each person's contributions toward achieving optimal/realistic = patient/family goals. Collaboration involves intra- and inter-disciplinary work with colleagues and community.

o How to work on a teamo Communication skills i.e., crucial conversations, negotiationo Dealing with Difficult Peopleo Performance Appraisalo Participating in a nursing team/interdisciplinary project/hospital committee*o National nursing organization membership and participation*

Systems Thinking

The body of knowledge and tools that allow the nurse to manage whatever environmental and system resources that exist for the patient/family and staff, within or across health care systems and non health care systems.

o Healthy Work Environmentso Management and leadership skillso Risk Managemento AACN Synergy Model for Patient Careo Community Resourceso Natural Disaster Planning/Emergency Planning and Coordinationo Case Managemento Participating in or leading a national committee (inter system; interdisciplinary)*o Designing new systems/forms/policies and procedures*o Leading a case conference*

For more background and information regarding the AACN Synergy Model for Patient Care please visit our AACN Certification Corporation website.


http://www.aacn.org/WD/Certifications/Content/synmodel.pcms?menu=Certification

POLICIES

Submission Details

Applications, along with the required documentation and corresponding fees, must be received by our office at least twenty (20) business days prior to the first presentation date of the program. Applications received less than twenty (20) business days prior to the first presentation date of the program will be charged the RUSH! Service fee. The application will not be evaluated until receipt of this fee.

RUSH! Service, for an additional fee of $50, guarantees that an application will be evaluated within ten (10) business days of its receipt. RUSH! Service is not available for self-paced programs.

All applications received less than seven (7) business days before the first presentation, regardless of whether a RUSH! Service fee has been included, will not be reviewed and applicable fee(s) will be returned.

Note: It is strongly suggested that applications are submitted well before our processing timelines lest more documentation or revisions are needed before approval can be granted. Under no circumstances will programs be granted provisional (or temporary) approval.

AACN DOES NOT AWARD RETROACTIVE CREDIT, NO EXCEPTIONS.

Blackout Dates

Large conferences by non-AACN organizations with an event date 90 days prior to or 30 days following AACN’s National Teaching Institute and Critical Care Exposition ® will not be considered for program approval.

Application Withdrawal and Resubmission

Applicants may withdraw applications for approval by contacting the AACN CNE Program Approval Unit in writing. No fees will be refunded if the review process has begun.

Withdrawn applications may be resubmitted at a later time. Resubmitted applications are treated as new applications with corresponding submission deadlines and fees.

Approval Status

Once all required documentation is received, reviewed, and judged to meet AACN’s CNE criterion, the educational program is deemed “AACN-approved.” Applicants (contact persons) are notified of approval by email. Applicants not providing an email address will be notified by fax or mail.

Approval of an individual program is granted for one (1) year from the date of approval. During the approval period, the sponsor may repeat the single program an unlimited number of times.

AACN-approval of a CNE program relates only to the educational activity having met accreditation standards for documentation, and does not carry endorsement of any commercial product or commercial enterprise. Nor is AACN-approval an implied endorsement of the educational content and cannot be advertised as such.

Programs that are conducted by commercial companies must be designed and presented with scientific objectivity. AACN will not approve programs in which the content is geared towards the use of a medical device or equipment. Program content must me overwhelmingly clinical in nature; education beyond the use of the product. When commercial products are displayed, participants must be advised of this fact.


Learners must be made aware of all commercial support of the educational program, either via printed materials or by verbal report.

AACN may revoke or withdraw approval for non-compliance, based on routine audits. Approval may also be denied or revoked if programs are not in 100% compliance with AACN’s Mission or Vision.

Modifications to Approved ProgramsAACN must be notified in writing in the event of:

1. An address change2. A change in the contact person3. An organization’s dissolution or cessation of continuing education activities4. The merging of an organization with another

Advertising Language

A program must be approved by AACN before any advertising of AACN approval can occur. Sponsors may publish the following statement after approval has been granted:

“This program has been approved by the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) for _____ Contact Hours, CERP Category _____, File Number _____.”

Statements such as “approval is pending” or “this program has been submitted to AACN for CNE approval,” may NOT be used under any circumstances.

Record Keeping

Sponsors are required to retain the following records for 5 years: all documentation concerning Program Approval; a sample of CNE certificates issued; and a roster of all participants. The roster must contain the following information:

1. Names and addresses of all participants2. Title of offering3. Number of contact hours awarded and CERP category4. Date and location of offering5. Name of approved program6. AACN-approved program number

The preceding records must be submitted to AACN upon request/audit. Approved sponsors must also be able to answer questions relating to renewal approval, and must provide participants with duplicate certificates upon request.

Program Renewal

Organizations must reapply before a program expires. All required documents for Program Approval must be re-submitted. AACN will not use documentation previously submitted. The information in re-submitted documents must be current and applicable fees should be submitted.

CNE Certificates

The CNE certificate is essential to verify attendance at any program and should be awarded to all individuals attending an approved program. 1 Certificates provide evidence of a nurse’s CNE activities to employers, peers, professional associations, boards of nursing and the healthcare consumer. Program

1 While our verbiage has changed from CE to CNE, CE verbiage on certificates is still valid until 2010.


sponsors may use their own certificates or purchase blank CE certificates from AACN. The certificates are furnished with a template allowing insertion of relevant program and participant information.

Note: When issuing certificates do not write contact hours as CEUs. It is not a generic abbreviation for continuing education. It is a specific measure: 10 contact hours equals 1 CEU. Neither AACN nor ANCC recognize the CEU term.

Instructions for Awarding CNE Certificates

The instructor or program coordinator is responsible for distributing one certificate to each registrant at the conclusion of the program in return for a completed program evaluation.

Before distributing certificates, the following must be completed by the instructor or program coordinator:

1. Registrant name and address2. Program title and date3. AACN reference file number4. Number of contact hours to be awarded5. Category of credit to be awarded (A or O)6. Signature of instructor or program coordinator

Orders for AACN Certificates

At the present time AACN certificates still contain CE verbiage. Orders for certificates may be included with the application if appropriate additional fees for certificates are included. The CE certificate payment should not be combined with the CNE application payment. Send a separate check or credit card payment so that the certificate order is not delayed. Orders for certificates will not be filled until fees are paid.


PROGRAM APPROVAL PROCESS

Application

To apply for CNE Program Approval through AACN, adhere to the following instructions:

1. Review the 2009 Guidelines thoroughly, even if a program was approved in the past.

2. Complete the required documentation listed below for all programs:

CNE Program Approval Application Cover Sheet Program Information Form Bibliography/Reference List Biographical Data Form(s) Learning Evaluation Form D for Self-Paced Learning (if applicable)

In addition, the following documentation, attached to Form D, is also required for self-paced learning programs:

Learner Instructions Pilot Test Instructional Materials

You are required to use AACN forms. Non-AACN forms will not be accepted and the submitted program will not be reviewed.

3. Submit hard copies of the required documentation to:

American Association of Critical-Care NursesCNE Program Approval101 ColumbiaAliso Viejo, CA 92656.

Or, submit a copy of your application and required forms via fax to 949-448-5513. You may also submit applications via email to [email protected]. However, for your protection, do not include credit card information with your submission. Please call the Program Approval division with your payment information, or send it via fax.

Payment must be received before the application can be processed. There are no exceptions.

DO NOT SUBMIT THE REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IN NOTEBOOKS OR FOLDERS.

4. Once an application is received it will be checked for completeness. Applicants will be contacted if required documents are missing. Applications will not be reviewed until they are complete. Sending an incomplete application to meet the submission deadline is not acceptable. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed and processing fees will be returned.

5. If marketing/promotional/announcement materials are going to be distributed for the program, a copy of the piece must be included.

The AACN logo may not be used on any material by organizations outside of AACN chapters.


mailto:[email protected]

Review

1. Completed applications are reviewed by the Program Approval Division and recommendations for approval are made. Applicants are notified of their approval, pending, or denial status within 20 business days of application receipt, or within 10 business days of application receipt if RUSH! Service has been requested.

2. There are no further requirements for applications approved upon first review.

3. If an application is not approved, the applicant will be asked to clarify submitted documentation and/or to address deficiencies. If all requirements are then met, the program is granted approval. This approval must occur before the date of the first program. Programs will not be granted retroactive approval under any circumstances.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Application

1. Check Program if this is the first year you are submitting this program. Check Renewal of Program if this same program has previously been approved and provide the previous program approval number.

2. Choose a Sponsor Type based on the categories provided on page 6.

3. Fill in the name of your organization as Sponsor/Organization. Indicate if the organization is accredited or approved by another entity to offer CNE for the submitted program. Complete all other information requested on the application.

4. Make sure you complete the Program Information Form, the Bibliography/Reference List, and the Biographical Date Form.

5. Attach the Learning Evaluation Tool.

6. Add Form D for self-paced learning programs.

7. If requesting RUSH! Service, fill in the “needed by” date

8. If ordering CNE Certificates, attach order form and include appropriate fees as separate payment.

9. Fees may be paid by check payable to AACN or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express). There will be a $15 fee for any returned checks.

Program Information Form

Program DescriptionIn clear, concise language, describe the program. Include a brief synopsis of major program features, topics to be covered, and state the format and instructional methods to be employed.Example: This two day course is given in lecture format and is designed to cover a wide array of pediatric issues, including triage, PALS overview, seizures, near drowning, fever, neonatal emergencies, poisonings, respiratory presentations, child abuse, fluids and medications, and trauma. This course fulfills the educational requirements for EDAP standards.

Participant Learning ObjectivesThe participant learning objectives must be stated in observable and measurable terms, and must be attainable within the time allotted to the program. The objectives must correspond to the respective topics listed in the program information form. Specify one action or outcome for each objective.

Example: The learner will be able to: Categorize pediatric patients into appropriate triage levels based on chief complaint and initial

triage assessment Identify ‘red flags’ in pediatrics Describe the difference between febrile, status and complex seizures State the differences between physical abuse and neglect Discuss the legal responsibility of nurses to report suspected abuse and reporting guidelines

Please review the Appendix should you require additional assistance with formulating learning objectives.


Content (Topic Outline)The content must be directly related to each objective and must be more than a restatement of the objective. It should be supplied in the form of an outline. The topic outline will list the information to be presented that supports or facilitates the learner achievement of each objective.

Bibliography/Reference ListPlease list references used (books, manuals, websites, etc.) to gather research on the program. Program content must be based on current (within the past five years), accurate and pertinent bibliographies or reference list. This should not simply be a list of articles published by the speaker. This list needs to be in place before the program is presented, and must be included with all other program materials, in order to be distributed to the participants during the program.

Biographical Data FormProgram speakers must be educationally prepared and have expertise in the area of content being presented. List all speakers’ formal credentials, educational background, certifications, present employment, and a few sentences stating the speakers’ qualifications to present the topic.

Do not submit curriculum vitas. CVs will not be accepted by AACN, and a Biographical Data Form will be requested. This may delay the processing of your application.

Learning Evaluation ToolThe learning evaluation tool for the program must objectively measure whether learning has occurred as a direct result of the program, and must be distributed to or administered to the participants. It must be directly related to the participant learning objectives and the intended purpose of the program. It should help the learner achieve each objective. This evaluation method can be pre-test/post-test, return demonstration, case studies, self-assessment questions, or concept implementation. It may not be simply yes/no questions or a Likert scale.

NOTE - Learning evaluation format may be multiple choice, true and false, or open-ended.

Example: List one concept learned for each of the following topics, and state how you will implement them into your practice:

a. Categorization of pediatric patients into appropriate triage levelsb. Toxicologic syndromesc. Physical abuse and neglect

Program and Speaker EvaluationThe Program and Speaker Evaluation is not the same as the Learning Evaluation Tool. All program sponsors must distribute this evaluation to participants. Sponsors may use the one provided by AACN, which you do not have to submit. If you use a different evaluation form than the one provided by AACN you must submit it with your application.

Poster SessionsIf your program contains a poster session, you may submit a separate sheet listing each poster, using the below guidelines. A minimum of 10 posters must be listed.

Example:Poster Title: “Factors Affecting Patients’ Early Recognition & Response to Hear Attach Symptoms”Author: Jane Freeden, BSN, CCRN

There is a maximum of 2.0 contact hours allowed per program. See page 6 for poster contact hour allotment.


SELF-PACED LEARNING PROGRAMS

Self-paced learning programs must meet all of the criteria listed above and below. Self-paced learning programs may not be submitted via email or fax.

Instructions for Form D

Course FormatFill in the course format that best describes the self-paced learning program. Acceptable formats include audiotape, book, CD-ROM, disk, magazine, newsletter, online article, satellite, text-based, videotape, or webcast/webinar.

Learner InstructionsExplicit directions providing learners with clearly delineated instructions on how to appropriately use the self-paced learning materials. A copy of the learning instructions must be submitted with the application.

Pilot TestThe time frame required to complete the self-paced program will vary among learners. To determine contact hours to be awarded for self-paced study, the program must be pilot tested on a comparable group of learners. The average completion time of the pilot group is used to calculate the number of contact hours to be awarded to the self-paced learning program.

The pilot test documentation must include:

At least five pilot participants’ names, addresses and phone numbers.

Completed and signed program evaluations from each participant. They should indicate on the form the amount of time it took them to complete the program. A copy of the originals must be submitted with the application.

Instructional MaterialsThe format of the self-paced learning program demonstrates the relationship of the content to the learning objectives and self-evaluation tools. A complete copy of all program materials, including handouts, instructions, tests, videotape, audiotape, CD-ROM, log-on passwords for on-line and webcast courses, etc. must be submitted and remain on file at AACN.

Policy

AACN reserves the right to not approve any self-paced programs with course formats falling outside of the aforementioned. Also, self-paced programs in which we cannot ensure the content remains constant and unchanged during an approval period may not be considered for approval.

Because of the original documentation and products required as attachments, materials required for self-paced learning program approval must be packaged together in an organized manner, clearly labeled and submitted via regular mail (not electronically).

Remember, RUSH! Service is not available for Self-Paced programs.


APPENDIX

Bloom's Taxonomy Verbs

According to Bloom’s Taxonomy, human thinking skills can be broken down into the following six categories: knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation. When developing curriculum for your program, this will help you determine the level of response you are anticipating from the participants.

Category Explanation Examples

Knowledge Remembering or recalling appropriate, previously learned information to draw out factual (usually right or wrong) answers.

Count, Define, Describe, Draw, Find, Identify, Label, List, Match, Name, Quote, Recall, Recite, Sequence, Tell, Write

Comprehension Grasping or understanding the meaning of informational materials.

Conclude, Demonstrate, Discuss, Explain, Generalize, Identify, Illustrate, Interpret, Paraphrase, Predict, Report, Restate, Review, Summarize, Tell

Application Applying previously learned information (or knowledge) to new and unfamiliar situations.

Apply, Change, Choose, Compute, Dramatize, Interview, Prepare, Produce, Role-play, Select, Show, Transfer, Use

Analysis Breaking down information into parts, or examining and trying to understand the organizational structure of information.

Analyze, Characterize, Classify, Compare, Contrast, Debate, Deduce, Diagram, Differentiate, Discriminate, Distinguish, Examine, Outline, Relate, Research, Separate

Synthesis Applying prior knowledge and skills to combine elements into a pattern not clearly there before.

Compose, Construct, Create, Design, Develop, Integrate, Invent, Make, Organize, Perform, Plan, Produce, Propose, Rewrite

Evaluation Judging or deciding according to some set of criteria, without real right or wrong answers.

Appraise, Argue, Assess, Choose, Conclude, Decide, Evaluate, Judge, Justify, Predict, Prioritize, Prove, Rank, Rate, Select

Please see: Bloom, Benjamin S. & David R. Krathwohl. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals, by a committee of college and university examiners. Handbook 1: Cognitive domain. New York: Longmans.


THANK YOUR FOR YOUR SUBMISSION.


Health & Medicine

American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.doc