Developing, Implementing, and Evaluating a Competency-Based Nursing Education Curriculum among Nurse Educators of Odisha—Using Kern’s Approach and Kirkpatrick Training Evaluation Model

Abstract Background: Nurses comprise the largest segment of the healthcare workforce. Enhancing their competence is crucial for delivering high-quality healthcare services. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a competency-based nursing education (CBNE) curriculum in improving nursing educators’ knowledge of core competencies relevant to their practice settings. Materials and Methods: Utilizing Kern’s 6-step model, a tailored program was designed for senior nursing educators from colleges in Odisha, India. The Delphi technique was employed during program development to ensure content relevance. The program was delivered through an online platform and evaluated using the Kirkpatrick training model. Results: Thirty nursing educators from the public sector participated in the program, with a mean age of 45.26 ± 5.74 years. Significant improvements were observed in participants’ knowledge of adult learning principles (effect size, d = 0.94; P = 0.04) and management and leadership ( d = 0.94; P = 0.016). Participants reported high satisfaction with the program, with a median score of 5 on a 5-point scale. Conclusions: This study demonstrates the successful development, implementation, and evaluation of a CBNE program in India. The program led to significant improvements in key competencies, with high participant satisfaction reflecting the relevance, expert facilitation, and practical applicability of the curriculum.