Louise Fleming1, Rachael Lorenzen, Joan Stanek, Megan Williams, Hilary Mendel. 1. Author Affiliations: Associate Professor (Dr Fleming), Assistant Professors (Ms Stanek and Dr Williams), and Former Instructor (Ms Mendel) University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Nursing; and Education Coordinator (Ms Lorenzen), University of North Carolina Healthcare, Chapel Hill.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: RN precepted clinical immersion experiences have become a mainstay of prelicensure nursing education, as they increase autonomy and confidence as students prepare to graduate and enter the workforce. PROBLEM: Nursing students are often assigned a hospital unit that neither enables them to work with their preferred patient population nor appreciates the patient care continuum. APPROACH: A clinical immersion experience was developed using an innovative model focused on specific patient populations across the care continuum. OUTCOMES: Five clinically immersive experiences were developed. More than 50 students transitioned through varied areas across the care continuum, based on their chosen focus. CONCLUSION: Senior-level nursing students were able to care for patients along the care continuum in both acute and community settings through a new model.
BACKGROUND: RN precepted clinical immersion experiences have become a mainstay of prelicensure nursing education, as they increase autonomy and confidence as students prepare to graduate and enter the workforce. PROBLEM: Nursing students are often assigned a hospital unit that neither enables them to work with their preferred patient population nor appreciates the patient care continuum. APPROACH: A clinical immersion experience was developed using an innovative model focused on specific patient populations across the care continuum. OUTCOMES: Five clinically immersive experiences were developed. More than 50 students transitioned through varied areas across the care continuum, based on their chosen focus. CONCLUSION: Senior-level nursing students were able to care for patients along the care continuum in both acute and community settings through a new model.