Degree Name
Nursing Practice, DNP
Publication Date
4-28-2026
First Advisor
Sandy King
Second Advisor
Brandi Castle
Abstract
This quality improvement project focused on inconsistent use and understanding of exam data among Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) faculty, which can influence teaching decisions and student success. Many nursing faculty enter education with strong clinical backgrounds but limited experience working with exam statistics such as item difficulty, discrimination values, and Kuder-Richardson 20 (KR-20) reliability. Without a consistent approach, exam results may not be fully used to guide remediation or adjust instruction. This Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) project examined whether a structured faculty development session could improve faculty confidence and ability to interpret and apply exam data. A pre- and post-intervention approach was used to evaluate changes in faculty self-reported competence, guided by Benner’s Novice to Expert Model and Lewin’s Change Theory. Seventeen full-time ADN faculty at a rural community college completed the Adult Education Teacher Competencies Self-Assessment Tool pre- and post-intervention. Data analysis included summary statistics and comparison of pre- and post-scores using a paired analysis approach, with statistical significance set at α = .05. Findings showed statistically significant improvement across all measured areas, with results indicating increased confidence and ability in exam data interpretation. These results support the use of structured, practical faculty development to strengthen understanding of exam data and promote more consistent use in teaching. This project highlights a realistic and sustainable way to support faculty growth, improve instructional decision-making, and contribute to stronger outcomes within nursing education programs.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Hutchens, Deanne, "Quality Improvement Project: Faculty Development for Understanding and Utilization of Exam Data" (2026). Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects. 346.
https://arch.astate.edu/dnp-projects/346
