Optimizing evaluation of nursing education programs.

Program evaluation data must be meaningful, credible, objective, and responsive. The content, inputs, process, and product model provides an effective and useful framework for organizing the evaluation process. The model is a decision/accountability-oriented approach that emphasizes both proactive and retroactive evaluation to assess program improvement and quality. The authors describe the steps used in developing an evaluation plan to address undergraduate, graduate, and specialty standards and to serve as a framework for data collection, decision-making, continuous quality improvement, and demonstration of outcomes.