Program outcomes following implementation of a hybrid curriculum at the certificate level.

AIM: This study examined satisfaction levels and learning outcomes before and after implementation of a hybrid curriculum.

BACKGROUND: Increased competition for clinical sites pressured a practical nursing program to explore alternative placement solutions. A hybrid curriculum, defined as offering 50 percent of second-semester theory course content online, was implemented in order to free students from place-bound instruction and thereby open new clinical opportunities.

METHODS: A summative evaluation was conducted to compare NCLEX-PN pass rates, grade outcomes, student satisfaction, and attrition rates between a prehybrid group of 119 practical nursing students and a hybrid group of 106 practical nursing students.

RESULTS: Findings indicate no significant differences in NCLEX pass rates and grade outcomes between the groups and an improvement in satisfaction and attrition rates.

CONCLUSION: It was concluded that use of a hybrid curriculum can open new clinical opportunities while maintaining the learning outcomes of NCLEX-PN pass rates and course grades.