Name
Chamberlain University
NR-501: Theoretical Basis for Advanced Nursing Practice
Prof. Name
Date
The focus of this presentation is to explore the significance of Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment and its practical use in nursing education. The discussion highlights several important aspects:
An overview of King’s Theory of Goal Attainment.
The relevance of this theory to nurse educators.
Characteristics of millennial learners and their implications for teaching.
How King’s framework can be applied to meet the learning needs of millennials.
Practical applications of the theory by nurse educators.
Key insights gained from the integration of this theory into educational practice.
By reviewing these focus areas, the connection between theory and evidence-based teaching strategies can be better understood.
Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment provides a structured model that explains how nurses and learners interact to achieve desired outcomes. The theory is built on three interacting systems that form the conceptual framework:
| System | Description |
|---|---|
| Personal System | Focuses on the individual learner’s perceptions, growth, and development. |
| Interpersonal System | Involves communication, interaction, and goal setting between individuals. |
| Social System | Relates to larger structures such as cultural norms, organizational influences, and professional expectations. |
According to King, effective interactions lead to mutual goal attainment, which is essential for educational success (McQueen, Cockroft, & Mullins, 2017; Fronczek, Rouhana, & Kitchin, 2017).
King’s framework holds particular importance for nurse educators, as it supports personalized and collaborative teaching strategies. The theory emphasizes understanding learners’ strengths and aligning them with clear, achievable goals. For millennial learners, who often seek immediate feedback and active engagement, this approach helps educators tailor their methods to improve participation and outcomes.
By applying this framework, nurse educators can effectively promote critical thinking, self-directed learning, and professional development while maintaining learner-centered instruction (Fronczek, Rouhana, & Kitchin, 2017).
Millennial learners, often referred to as Generation Y or the Net Generation, present unique challenges in the academic setting. Compared to Baby Boomers and Generation X, their characteristics are distinct:
| Millennial Traits | Educational Implications |
|---|---|
| Sense of entitlement/feeling special | May expect recognition and validation, requiring educators to balance support with accountability. |
| Pressured and impatient | Often seek quick results, making it necessary to use interactive and immediate feedback tools. |
| Technologically savvy | Prefer digital learning environments, online resources, and tech-driven engagement. |
| Team and goal-oriented | Excel in collaborative learning and project-based education. |
These traits can make engaging millennials difficult for nurse educators. However, when properly addressed through structured teaching frameworks, these characteristics can be leveraged for improved learning outcomes (McQueen, Cockroft, & Mullins, 2017; Monaco & Martin, 2007; Worley, 2011).
King’s Theory of Goal Attainment provides a structured evidence-based framework (EBP) that supports strategies for engaging millennial learners. The integration of technology, alongside the personal, interpersonal, and social systems, enhances learner motivation and engagement.
| Framework Component | Role in Engaging Millennials |
|---|---|
| Personal System | Addresses individual learning styles, technology preferences, and self-growth. |
| Interpersonal System | Encourages collaboration, communication, and mutual goal setting between educator and learner. |
| Social System | Considers professional standards, teamwork, and organizational expectations in learning. |
| Goal Achievement | Ensures learning outcomes are met through active involvement and measurable objectives. |
This alignment ensures that nurse educators can meet the needs of technologically adept and teamwork-driven millennial learners (Fronczek, Rouhana, & Kitchin, 2017).
Applying King’s theory in nursing education has provided significant insights:
The three-system framework allows educators to evaluate learner needs holistically.
Nurse educators can adopt expressive and interactive learning approaches, particularly those integrating technology.
The focus on collaborative engagement leads to more meaningful participation by millennial learners.
Ultimately, the use of King’s framework results in successful goal attainment, benefiting both learners and educators (McQueen, Cockroft, & Mullins, 2017).
Imogene King’s Theory of Goal Attainment was reviewed as a framework for interactive learning.
The relevance of this theory to nurse educators was discussed.
The unique traits of millennial learners were analyzed, along with their implications for teaching.
King’s Theory was shown to serve as a supportive evidence-based framework to engage millennials.
Insights were gained into how educators can achieve successful learning outcomes by integrating King’s model into practice.
Fronczek, A. E., Rouhana, N. A., & Kitchin, J. M. (2017). Enhancing telehealth education in nursing: Applying King’s conceptual framework and theory of goal attainment. Nursing Science Quarterly, 30(3), 209-213. https://doi.org/10.1177/0894318417708418
Kornusky, J. M., & Wiemer, H. C. (2016). Goal attainment. CINAHL Nursing Guide.
McQueen, L., Cockroft, M., & Mullins, N. (2017). Imogene King’s theory of goal attainment and the millennial nurse: An important mentoring tool for nurse educators. Teaching & Learning in Nursing, 12(3), 223-225. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.teln.2017.03.003
Monaco, M., & Martin, M. (2007). The millennial student: A new generation of learners. Athletic Training Education Journal, 2(2), 42-46.
Worley, K. (2011). Educating college students of the Net Generation. Adult Learning, 22(3), 31-39. https://doi.org/10.1177/104515951102200305
