CNE CNE Curriculum Development & Design 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which curriculum model is most appropriate when a nursing program wants to organize content around major recurring nursing concepts rather than medical specialties?
- Traditional medical model
- Concept-based curriculum (Correct answer)
- Problem-based learning model
- Integrated curriculum model
Correct answer: Concept-based curriculum
A concept-based curriculum organizes content around core nursing concepts (e.g., oxygenation, perfusion) rather than traditional disease-based or specialty categories.
Question 2: When developing program learning outcomes, a CNE should ensure they are aligned with which national framework?
- DSM-5
- AACN Essentials (Correct answer)
- Magnet Recognition Standards
- HIPAA regulations
Correct answer: AACN Essentials
Program learning outcomes in nursing education should align with the AACN Essentials, which define competency expectations for nursing graduates.
Question 3: A CNE is designing a simulation activity to replace a portion of clinical hours. Which accreditation body guideline should guide this decision?
- ACEN or CCNE standards on simulation use (Correct answer)
- OSHA workplace standards
- ANA Code of Ethics
- The Joint Commission standards
Correct answer: ACEN or CCNE standards on simulation use
ACEN and CCNE both provide guidelines on the acceptable percentage of clinical hours that can be replaced with simulation-based learning.
Question 4: Which term describes the total breadth of content and experiences included in a nursing curriculum?
- Sequence
- Scope (Correct answer)
- Articulation
- Integration
Correct answer: Scope
Scope refers to the breadth and depth of all content, skills, and experiences intentionally included within the curriculum.
Question 5: Interprofessional education (IPE) in nursing curriculum is designed to achieve which primary outcome?
- Reduce clinical costs
- Improve collaborative practice and patient outcomes (Correct answer)
- Decrease faculty workload
- Eliminate specialty nursing tracks
Correct answer: Improve collaborative practice and patient outcomes
IPE prepares nursing students to work collaboratively with other health professions to improve patient safety and health outcomes.
Question 6: A nurse educator revising the curriculum notices elective courses are not linked to program outcomes. This is a problem of:
- Curriculum overload
- Lack of alignment (Correct answer)
- Scope creep
- Content redundancy
Correct answer: Lack of alignment
Lack of alignment occurs when courses or learning activities are not connected to the program's stated outcomes, weakening curricular coherence.
CNE CNE Curriculum Development & Design 3
Which curriculum model is most appropriate when a nursing program wants to organize content around major recurring nursing concepts rather than medical specialties?