Integrating writing across the curriculum strategies in nursing programs: An avenue to meet competency-based education criteria

Background

The movement toward competency-based education (CBE), endorsed by AACN, has highlighted the need for nursing programs to engage in curriculum revisions. Best practice Writing Across the Curriculum instructional strategies may play a key role in revising courses to meet CBE criteria.

Problem

Faculty may not feel prepared to modify or develop courses to meet the CBE standards detailed in the AACN 2021 Essentials and may not recognize how Writing Across the Curriculum strategies can be utilized to meet CBE requirements.

Approach

Evidence-based Writing Across the Curriculum strategies can be easily incorporated into courses to enhance students' critical thinking abilities, clinical skills, and leadership proficiencies.

Conclusions

Writing Across the Curriculum strategies can be used during course revisions to address CBE. Nursing faculty should be familiar with best practices for incorporating writing into nursing assignments to allow students to demonstrate competency of learned knowledge.