The Essentials

Aligning Outcomes, Progression Indicators, and Assessment: The Competency Design Studio

Virtual Mini Workshop | September 22, 2026 | 12:00-2:15 pm (ET)

Description

In this interactive mini workshop, nursing faculty step into a course design studio where competencies, outcomes, and assessments come into clearer focus. Using Progression Indicators as our guiding lens, participants will explore how developmental expectations shape what learners need to know and demonstrate. Faculty will examine course elements for alignment, apply backward design to strengthen connections between outcomes and assessments, and translate competencies into observable indicators that reflect student growth. Through guided design sessions, participants will create or refine rubrics that make expectations explicit, measurable, and equitable. By the end of the workshop, participants will leave with practical tools and well-aligned syllabi and assessment elements that bring Progression Indicators into focus and accurately capture learner progression toward competency.

Learning Outcomes:

  • Explore the purpose, structure, and application of Progression Indicators to clarify developmental expectations and strengthen assessment practices in nursing education.
  • Analyze existing course elements—including syllabi, outcomes, learning activities, and assessments—to evaluate alignment with competencies and associated Progression Indicators across program levels.
  • Apply backward design principles to align outcomes, learning activities, and performance assessments so that each clearly evidences competency attainment and observable behaviors.
  • Design or refine rubrics that embed Progression Indicators and make performance criteria explicit, measurable, and developmentally appropriate for nursing learners.

Participants may earn up to 2.25 CEUs for Nursing Continuing Professional Development.

Please note: Registration is restricted to one participant per registration. Multiple participants under one registration will not be permitted, and groups will be asked to register individually. These strict requirements should be taken into account when registering for this event.

Program

View agenda.

Registration Fees

Workshop Standard
AACN Members $99
AACN Non-Members $199

  • You may substitute your virtual registration to another individual within your organization. This must be done by contacting the AACN Conference Department via email at conferences@aacnnursing.org.
  • If a substitution is not possible, your cancellation request must be received in writing and confirmed by AACN; otherwise, it cannot be honored. The following refund arrangements will then apply:
    • Cancellation requests received up to two weeks prior to the event start date, will be refunded minus a $90 non-refundable administrative fee.
    • No refunds will be given for notices received within two weeks of the event start date, nor will refunds be given for no-shows.
    • No-show registrations with an open balance will be charged the non-refundable administrative fee as outlined above after the event.
  • Your cancellation request must be submitted in writing to conferences@aacnnursing.org and confirmed by AACN.

Please note: AACN will issue refunds within a 2-week time period of receipt of written cancellation notice.

Event Cancellation by AACN

AACN reserves the right to modify, postpone/reschedule or cancel this conference and any related group activity for any circumstance beyond AACN's control, including but not limited to emergency, acts of God, government regulations, disaster, strike, and non-fulfilment of minimum group requirements. If AACN cancels an event, every attempt will be made to reschedule or provide a modified virtual offering, and registration fees will be applied to the rescheduled/virtual event. If a cancelled event cannot be rescheduled, AACN will issue a full refund of the registration fee(s). Any travel, lodging, or incidental expenses incurred related to a cancelled/postponed event cannot be refunded under any circumstances as AACN resumes no responsibility for such expenses.

Presenter

  • Photo of Dawn Mueller-Burke

    Dawn Mueller-Burke, PhD, CRNP, NNP-BC

    Assistant Professor, University of Maryland, Baltimore
    Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, University of Maryland Medical Center
    AACN Essentials Coach

  • Photo of Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler

    Jacquelyn McMillian-Bohler, PhD, APRN, CNM, CNE

    Associate Clinical Professor, Director, Institute for Educational Excellence, Duke University
    AACN Essentials Coach