What is QEP and how does it relate to the MDC’s School of Nursing?
MDC’s QEP (Quality Enhancement Plan) was designed to enhance students’ workforce readiness through the skill of writing. The purpose of QEP is to connect written, academic communication to real-world settings with a focus on strengthening career knowledge. The goals of the QEP coalesce well with the objectives of the Benjamin Leon School of Nursing (BLSON) because effective written communication and careful documentation are especially important to medical professions. Currently, there is a trend especially in the field of nursing to require higher degrees, opening the doors beyond direct-patient care into higher-paying positions. However, these more advanced degrees require writing-intensive courses, and the QEP integration in the curriculum allows for sufficient practice and preparation to succeed in these programs. Additionally, errors in documentation can cause patient injury or death; thus the focus on concise and competent writing serves well beyond the walls of the School of Nursing classrooms.
Students throughout their ASN program are expected to produce one QEP paper (of 6-7 papers in length) in four of their required courses (NUR1025L/NUR1002L, NUR1211L, NUR2680L, and NUR2811C). These assignments adequately prepare the students to enter the bachelor’s program at BLSON where they also will produce QEP papers in their required courses (NUR3165, NUR3805, NUR3846, NUR4827)
Below are some quotes from the 2020 cohort of ASN nursing students about QEP:
The QEP assignments are an effective way to ensure that we know how to discuss the diagnosis of our patients. This is very beneficial for future references.
Honestly, I want to be better at writing, I believe that the more you know how to express your thoughts into a piece of paper is very important. I do hate that my grades and my chance of becoming a nurse depend to a certain degree on my writing; I can be a great nurse because I feel it in my heart and I very much enjoy helping others. I am not a great writer, I'm not even close to an average writer.
I believe the QEP assignment was a well thought way to help students improve their writing skills.
QEP Resources For Faculty
We have created a resource Blackboard Org for faculty to find sample rubrics, prompts, templates, and instructional videos on implementing QEP and uploading zip files. Contact Prof. Takenya McDonald at tmcdonal@mdc.edu for access to our QEP Org, so you can include QEP in your curricula or receive support in your QEP-designated courses.
To read more about QEP, check out the following: