NEEDS ASSESSMENT & TEACHING PROJECT SUMMARY

NURS 402 Career Pathway Development

Needs Assessment & Teaching Project Summary Papers
Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of the assignment is to provide the student the opportunity to discuss the
process and resulting outcomes when assessing a population of learners needs related to
an actual nursing problem, for the purpose of a planning a teaching intervention.
Approach to the Assignment
A recurrent problem I encountered throughout my nursing career at Mary Immaculate
Hospital relied on the nursing act of delegation. When I was a novice nurse fresh to the
profession this was a difficulty for me, too. The problem I came to realize was that staff
was ineffectively communicating amongst each other and was unsure of the duties of
their assigned roles.
Reason for Inclusion
This assignment allowed for me to assess a new population, my coworkers. This needed
to be accomplished in order to best determine how and what to teach my coworkers about
communicating with each other respectively in the art of delegation. The needs
assessment provided the framework for my teaching endeavors and helped to ensure my
success.
Critical Thinking
Revises action plans and goals based on evidence rather than conjecture
The needs assessment allowed me to discover the different types of learning that most
connected with my coworkers and whether they were visual, auditory or tactile learners. I
used the What Type of Learner Are You tool to evaluate my staff target audience. I had
assumed that my audience would be all visual learners, but it was necessary to adapt my
teaching style to accommodate all types of learners.
Nursing Practice
Implements traditional nursing care practices as appropriate to provide holistic health
care to diverse populations across the lifespan
The needs assessment was vital to evaluate the various ages of the staff learners (20-65
year olds). It was also necessary to research how to effectively communicate with an
elderly population to discern the best way to teach the elderly staff with new
technologies.
Demonstrates an awareness of complementary modalities and their usefulness in
promoting health
The needs assessment and teaching project development and implementation required me
to use different modalities (handouts, demonstration, lectures, and simulation practice) to
be able to effectively teach my coworkers. The modalities my coworkers learned then

translated to effective communication and mutual respect with each other. The coworkers
also learned the difference between therapeutic communication, non-therapeutic
communication, and expected responsibilities. This further enhanced their ability to
communicate and overall knowledge of job title.
Communication
Expresses oneself and communicates effectively with diverse groups and disciplines
using a variety of media in a variety of contexts.
The needs assessment and discerning the types of learners of the target audience enabled
effective training of staff in teaching strategies that could be applied to all client
education opportunities. That way when a task is necessarily delegated, the task is
completed correctly and timely. This leads to better patient care and teamwork.
Uses therapeutic communication within the nurse-patient relationship
This assignment enhanced my own ability to therapeutically communicate with staff and
evaluate ways to improve my communication/teaching. The coworkers also learned the
difference between therapeutic communication and non-therapeutic communication. This
further enhanced their ability to communicate with our patient population effectively.
Adapts communication methods to patients with special needs
I used the What Type of Learner Are You tool to evaluate my staff target audience. I
then educated staff about the way to effectively communicate with each other
professionally and respectively. Some staff may require more direction and fewer
distractions when having a conversation because of an unknown learning need. This
needs to be acknowledged properly.
Teaching
Provides teaching to patients and/or professionals about healthcare procedures and
technologies in preparation for and following nursing or medical interventions
This assignment specifically measured the staffs ability to communicate and demonstrate
effective delegation between registered nurse and nursing assistant. This assignment
measured the registered nurse and nursing assistants knowledge of job title and
responsibilities. The staff being aware of these components of the profession directly
affects healthcare procedures implemented in the hospital setting.
Evaluates the efficacy of health promotion and education modalities for use in a variety
of settings with diverse populations
The needs assessment survey allowed for accommodation of individual learning types to
best construct a successful program to improve communication and instruction to the
staff involving successful delegation and teamwork. The need assessment survey stressed
the use of common language to ensure understanding of all learners (RN and CNA).
Research
Shares research findings with colleagues
Staff was educated with evidence- based practice use of modalities to best teach and
communicate necessary information. Policy and research on implementation of
successful delegation and how it promotes optimum patient care was shared.

Leadership
Assumes a leadership role within ones scope of practice as a designer, manager, and
coordinator of health care to meet the special needs of vulnerable populations in a
variety of practice settings
I approached the hospital manager about designing, teaching and implementing a
program to enable staff to more effectively communicate with as a team. My teaching
program decreased tension between the RN and CNA staff and promoted leadership and
teamwork capability.