Nurse Practitioner Education Continuum Council
Activity Planning Guide
This guide walks planners through building an activity file that meets NPECC process criteria. Use it with the Standards Handbook and the checklist on npecc.org/process.
Step 1 — Define the professional practice gap
Document the gap between current and desired practice. Sources may include:
- Practice data or quality metrics
- Literature and clinical guidelines
- Learner survey or needs assessment
- Regulatory or practice-environment change
- Expert consensus with rationale
Output: 1–2 paragraphs stating the gap and why education is the right intervention.
Step 2 — Write measurable learning objectives
Objectives describe what the learner will be able to do after the activity. Prefer action verbs (identify, apply, differentiate, construct).
| Weak | Stronger |
|---|---|
| Understand insulin resistance | Explain insulin resistance in plain language for a coaching conversation |
| Know protein targets | State default protein ounce targets for fat-loss vs maintenance meals |
Step 3 — Design content and methods
- Outline segments mapped to each objective
- Choose methods (text, cases, quiz, discussion) appropriate to objectives
- Time each segment; sum educational minutes for contact hours
- Tag pharmacology content when applicable
Step 4 — Select faculty / SME
- Credentials match the content level
- Complete COI disclosure
- Mitigate conflicts before release
Step 5 — Build assessment
- Blueprint: each major objective covered by ≥1 item
- For knowledge post-tests: recommend ≥70% pass; allow retakes
- Prefer application items over pure trivia when teaching practice skills
- For high-stakes knowledge checks, consider reshuffling item and option order between attempts
Step 6 — Plan evaluation
Collect at least: relevance, teaching effectiveness, objectives met, commercial-bias free (Y/N), optional practice-change intent, free-text application.
Step 7 — Certificate & verification
- Sample certificate with honest credit labeling
- Unique ID and public verify URL
- Learner legal name; optional license number / credentials
Step 8 — Marketing review
- No undisclosed product promotion in educational claims
- No false claims of external accreditation or board endorsement
- Clear separation of education vs commercial messaging
Step 9 — Sign-off
CE Chair or designated reviewer signs the activity file when elements A–L are complete. Only then may “NPECC process–approved” language be used.