About Us: Program Outcomes

Critical Thinking

We, the Faculty of the Pottsville Hospital School of Nursing, agree with Paul's definition that critical thinking "is thinking that defines its purpose and goals well; frames a question or problem precisely; carefully checks information for its completeness and relevance; is sensitive to ideas and concepts; can trace implications and consequences; can appreciate multiple perspectives and ways of looking at things. It is, in short, thinking done in such a way as to be disciplined and self-correcting." The program fosters the following attributes in the graduate; well-informed, trustful of reason, open-minded, fair-minded in evaluation, focused/orderly, diligent, selective, persistent, willing to re-evaluate, and habitually inquisitive.

The descriptors of critical thinking attributes:

• Habitually Inquisitive - questions, assesses, is self-motivated, takes initiative, seeks clarification
• Well Informed - constantly self-educates, seeks information, does research
• Trustful of reason - forms diagnoses based on questioning and assessing, applies, analyzes, is self-confident
• Open-minded - is holistic, flexible, willing to consider alternatives, tolerant to divergent views, creative, honest in facing personal biases
• Fair-minded in evaluation - is able to look at both sides of evaluation, seeks evaluation, sees validation, has objectivity
• Focused/orderly - concentrates, organizes
• Diligent - is thorough, comprehensive, and accurate
• Selective - individualizes care, prioritizes
• Persistent - problem solves, has perseverance
• Willing to re-evaluate - uses reflective thinking

Communication Abilities

Communication is the basic element of human interactions that allow people to establish, maintain and improve contacts with others. It is a complex process that involves behaviors and relationships and allows individuals to associate with others and the world around them.

The program at the Pottsville Hospital School of nursing utilizes the following descriptors in the evaluation of students

• Establishes working relationships with patients
• Utilizes clear and concise phrasing of words and an understandable vocabulary
• Conveys correct information
• Utilizes appropriate communication techniques with patients
• Uses selective communication skills when interacting with members of the health care team

Therapeutic Nursing Interventions:

Therapeutic nursing interventions are learned interventions that are based on thought and judgment and are a blending of technology with holism and caring. They are adapted and implemented as part of an overall goal for the patient and/or aggregates such as families and communities and evaluated as an integral part of the outcomes established. The learner must engage in thinking, feeling, and moving behaviors in order to utilize therapeutic nursing interventions

The descriptors utilized in the evaluation of therapeutic nursing interventions include:

• Utilizes critical thinking skills
• Accurately assesses patient(s)
• Collaborates with other members of the health care team
• Provides patient education
• Modifies nursing interventions based on patients' needs
• Performs skills correctly
• Evaluates care

Program Outcomes

Patterns and Rates of Employment:

The nursing program prepares the graduate to practice as a generalist in hospitals, health care agencies, and programs in the community. The graduate will assume responsibilities of the professional nurse in these settings. It is expected that with continuing and advanced education, professional growth, and nursing experience, the graduate, over time, will experience promotional changes in areas of specialization and employment settings.

It is expected that 100% of the graduates of the program will be employed in nursing either full time or part time within six to nine months of graduation

Performance on NCLEX:

It is expected that 100% of the graduates of the program will pass the NCLEX-RN examination on their first attempt.

Program Satisfaction:

Program satisfaction is the level of satisfaction with the nursing program's resources, facilities, student services, curriculum, instruction, integrity of practices and policies, and educational effectiveness, as evaluated by students, alumni, alumni, employers, and faculty. This is accomplished through evaluation of total program, clinical and classroom instruction, exit interview, follow-up of graduates, employer evaluation, and faculty review of curriculum.

Employer Satisfaction

Employer satisfaction is the level of satisfaction with graduates' performance at one year as perceived by their employers. This is measures by a survey of employers on the graduates' use of nursing process, critical thinking, communication, leadership, and patient teaching skills, professional accountability, and professional growth.

Graduation Rate

Graduation rate is the percentage of students completing the Program within three(3) years following admission to the first nursing course, or within 150% of length of nursing courses only.