title: NEXus: evaluation of an innovative educational consortium for doctoral education in nursing.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe the evaluation of the Nursing Education Xchange (NEXus), a national consortium of doctor of philosophy in nursing (PhD) and doctor of nursing practice programs, administered by the Western Institute of Nursing, which offers courses on-line. An external evaluator surveyed and interviewed faculty and staff coordinators, students, and the Western Institute of Nursing Board Members about their experiences with NEXus. Overall, individuals' perceptions of the NEXus program were positive. Some challenges in registering at other universities were addressed. The program helped PhD in nursing students complete their programs of study on time. Expansion of the program was recommended to offer more opportunities for students to take courses with experts in their areas of interest. Challenges and successes are discussed to assist others contemplating a consortium approach.
authors.affiliation: Professor, University of New Mexico, College of Nursing, Albuquerque, NM.. Electronic address: mlobo@salud.unm.edu.
authors.forename: Marie L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lobo
authors.affiliation: Professor, Associate Dean for Graduate Nursing Programs, The University of Texas at Tyler, College of Nursing, Tyler, TX.
authors.forename: Barbara K
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Haas
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, University Nevada at Las Vegas, School of Nursing, Las Vegas, NV.
authors.forename: Michele C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.affiliation: Executive Director, Western Institute of Nursing, Portland, OR.
authors.forename: Paula A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: McNeil
mesh_terms: D004511:Education, Nursing, Graduate / Q000379:methods*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities / Q000458:organization & administration
keywords: Consortium; Distance education; Doctoral education; Program evaluation