GETTING STARTED IN TEACHING FOR
NURSING AND THE HEALTH
PROFESSIONS
1ST EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JUDITH A. HALSTEAD;
DIANE M. BILLINGS
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Curriculum Development
Stem
A new MSN program committee must define the program’s
guiding curriculum philosophy. Faculty members hold diverse
opinions (student-centered adult learning vs. profession-
centered competency mastery). As the appointed curriculum
lead, which approach best aligns curriculum design with
program credibility and stakeholder needs?
Page | 1
,A. Adopt a strict competency-based framework focused
exclusively on measurable clinical competencies.
B. Use a hybrid philosophy that blends competency mastery
with adult learning principles and stakeholder priorities.
C. Prioritize a student-centered, constructivist model and defer
competency specification to later course-level planning.
D. Choose the philosophy most familiar to the majority of
faculty to expedite approval.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): A hybrid approach integrates measurable
competencies required by employers and accrediting bodies
with adult-learning strategies that support learner engagement
and transfer. This balances external accountability and internal
pedagogical effectiveness, consistent with curriculum
development principles that align philosophy, outcomes, and
stakeholder needs.
A: Focusing exclusively on competencies risks neglecting adult
learning processes and curriculum coherence across didactic
and clinical settings.
C: Deferring competency specification undermines program
accountability and alignment with external standards;
philosophy must guide both program and course design.
D: Selecting the majority's preference sacrifices systematic
Page | 2
,alignment with stakeholders and evidence; expedience should
not trump curricular validity.
Teaching Point
Blend competency requirements with adult-learning pedagogy
for credible, learner-centered curricula.
Citation
Halstead, J. A., & Billings, D. M. (2025). Getting Started in
Teaching for Nursing and the Health Professions (1st Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Curriculum Development
Stem
During the initial curriculum needs analysis for a post-licensure
certificate, faculty review local workforce data showing high
demand for community mental health skills, but students report
interest in acute care specialization. Which curricular decision
best reflects sound needs assessment and educates for both
individual and societal requirements?
A. Design the curriculum exclusively around students’ stated
acute care interests to maximize enrollment.
B. Structure a modular curriculum with core community mental
health competencies and elective acute care modules.
C. Ignore workforce data and keep the current generalist
curriculum to avoid controversy.
Page | 3
, D. Create a short elective seminar in community mental health
while keeping the major curriculum acute-care focused.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): A modular approach aligns program outcomes with
demonstrated community needs while honoring learner
choice—achieving external relevance and learner-centered
flexibility. It supports curriculum responsiveness and workforce
alignment.
A: Catering solely to student interest risks graduating nurses
who do not meet community needs and may jeopardize
program relevance.
C: Ignoring data fails to meet stakeholder accountability and is
inconsistent with evidence-informed curriculum development.
D: A token seminar is insufficient to meet workforce demand
and program outcome expectations for community
competencies.
Teaching Point
Use modular design to reconcile workforce needs with learner
preferences and program outcomes.
Citation
Halstead, J. A., & Billings, D. M. (2025). Getting Started in
Teaching for Nursing and the Health Professions (1st Ed.). Ch. 1.
Page | 4
NURSING AND THE HEALTH
PROFESSIONS
1ST EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)JUDITH A. HALSTEAD;
DIANE M. BILLINGS
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Curriculum Development
Stem
A new MSN program committee must define the program’s
guiding curriculum philosophy. Faculty members hold diverse
opinions (student-centered adult learning vs. profession-
centered competency mastery). As the appointed curriculum
lead, which approach best aligns curriculum design with
program credibility and stakeholder needs?
Page | 1
,A. Adopt a strict competency-based framework focused
exclusively on measurable clinical competencies.
B. Use a hybrid philosophy that blends competency mastery
with adult learning principles and stakeholder priorities.
C. Prioritize a student-centered, constructivist model and defer
competency specification to later course-level planning.
D. Choose the philosophy most familiar to the majority of
faculty to expedite approval.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): A hybrid approach integrates measurable
competencies required by employers and accrediting bodies
with adult-learning strategies that support learner engagement
and transfer. This balances external accountability and internal
pedagogical effectiveness, consistent with curriculum
development principles that align philosophy, outcomes, and
stakeholder needs.
A: Focusing exclusively on competencies risks neglecting adult
learning processes and curriculum coherence across didactic
and clinical settings.
C: Deferring competency specification undermines program
accountability and alignment with external standards;
philosophy must guide both program and course design.
D: Selecting the majority's preference sacrifices systematic
Page | 2
,alignment with stakeholders and evidence; expedience should
not trump curricular validity.
Teaching Point
Blend competency requirements with adult-learning pedagogy
for credible, learner-centered curricula.
Citation
Halstead, J. A., & Billings, D. M. (2025). Getting Started in
Teaching for Nursing and the Health Professions (1st Ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Introduction to Curriculum Development
Stem
During the initial curriculum needs analysis for a post-licensure
certificate, faculty review local workforce data showing high
demand for community mental health skills, but students report
interest in acute care specialization. Which curricular decision
best reflects sound needs assessment and educates for both
individual and societal requirements?
A. Design the curriculum exclusively around students’ stated
acute care interests to maximize enrollment.
B. Structure a modular curriculum with core community mental
health competencies and elective acute care modules.
C. Ignore workforce data and keep the current generalist
curriculum to avoid controversy.
Page | 3
, D. Create a short elective seminar in community mental health
while keeping the major curriculum acute-care focused.
Correct answer
B
Rationales
Correct (B): A modular approach aligns program outcomes with
demonstrated community needs while honoring learner
choice—achieving external relevance and learner-centered
flexibility. It supports curriculum responsiveness and workforce
alignment.
A: Catering solely to student interest risks graduating nurses
who do not meet community needs and may jeopardize
program relevance.
C: Ignoring data fails to meet stakeholder accountability and is
inconsistent with evidence-informed curriculum development.
D: A token seminar is insufficient to meet workforce demand
and program outcome expectations for community
competencies.
Teaching Point
Use modular design to reconcile workforce needs with learner
preferences and program outcomes.
Citation
Halstead, J. A., & Billings, D. M. (2025). Getting Started in
Teaching for Nursing and the Health Professions (1st Ed.). Ch. 1.
Page | 4
