Intended as a text and a reference work, the book emphasizes the development of broad institutional objectives, and covers in detail curriculum and course development, selection of learning experiences, and evaluation of nursing behavior. All subjects are approached through the critical incident technique, which presents material in brief case study form organized and categorized into a behavioral classification system involving major areas of performance. Throughout the text, there is heavy use of examples, illustrative material, and step-by-step description. Contents include: a detailed description of the critical incident approach to problems in nursing; use of the critical requirements approach in establishing objectives for a school of nursing; use of critical incidents to define behaviors; development of curriculum objectives and learning experiences consistent with critical requirements in nursing; evaluation in terms of objectives, the task, performance, and professional standards; and the tools of evaluation. Bibliographies and selected references follow each chapter. Appended materials include: (1) lists of critical requirements in fields related to nursing, (2) lists of expected nursing student behavior in selected clinical areas, and (3) performance descriptions of certain nursing functions and procedures. (MDW)