No. Learning outcomes are a measurable statement of what the learner will know (knowledge), be able to demonstrate (skill) or change in their practice after completing a learning activity. The learning outcome statement is written to reflect what the learner will be able to do as a result of completing a learning activity and must be measurable and observable. Learning outcomes address the underlying educational need (knowledge, skill, practice) identified in the professional practice gap. Example: The nurse planner identified a gap in knowledge of valvular heart disease. The learning outcome might be written as: Upon completion of this activity the learner will demonstrate knowledge of valvular heart disease by completing a written examination with a score of 80% or higher.

No. The following items are required to be on each certificate indicating completion of the activity:

• Title and date of the educational activity
  
• Name and address of the provider of the educational activity (web address is acceptable)
  
• Number of Contact hours awarded
  
• Approver statement: “This nursing continuing professional development activity was approved by Colorado Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation”
  
• Participant name

You may view a video explanation of the application here.

Contact hours reflect the number of hours participating in a learning activity, including time for evaluation. Contact hours are determined in a logical and defensible manner, with one contact hour = 60 minutes. Contact hours can be calculated by adding all clock minutes from the start of the activity to the end of the activity, deducting time for breaks and meals and divide by sixty. The result is the number of contact hours to be awarded. Evidence may be the calculation, agenda for the activity, or identifying the start and stop time of the activity.

The rationale is how you calculate the number of contact hours to award, while the criteria to award contact hours is what the learner must do to earn the contact hours. The criteria to award contact hours must be disclosed to the learners prior to the beginning of the activity. For example: the learner must complete all sessions and pass a test at 80% or higher to receive contact hours for the learning activity.