A quality improvement project on creating a curriculum development process to integrate the AACN Essentials

Nursing education is currently undergoing significant curriculum revisions to transition to competency-based education framework. This shift is guided by the 2021 American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials: Core Competencies for Professional Nursing Education, a comprehensive framework for professional nursing education programs. Grounded in evidence-based practice, the AACN Essentials aims to prepare future nursing graduates with the skills and readiness required for competent patient care. The purpose of this article is to share the quality improvement project aimed at integrating the Essentials into Level I and Level II programs through a reflection on the development process at Grand Canyon University. While integrating the Essentials framework, the project team created a detailed curriculum development process, outlining and organizing each development phase. The authors of this quality improvement project share checklists that outline the development phases created to organize tasks and maintain efficient timelines. Nursing educators play a crucial role in facilitating these program changes through collaboration and dedication to the curriculum development process. This article details our quality improvement project delivering a collaborative curriculum development process that guides the organized integration of the Essentials framework utilized in all levels of nursing programs.