Experiential learning of clinical skills by beginning nursing students: "coaching" project by fourth-year student interns.

To fulfill the requirements for the internship program, fourth-year academic nursing students participated in a leadership program and became coaches for novice students who were beginning their first clinical rotations in the hospital. The concept of coaching is recognized in theory, research, and clinical education as an educational tool, which provides mutual benefits for the coachee and the coach. The project lasted 12 weeks, 2 clinical days per week. The coaches served as a source of support and knowledge and assisted in problem solving for the beginning students. As nurse educators who oversaw the project, the authors summarized the program as it was developed and implemented at the Assaf HaRofeh School of Nursing including problems, revisions, and final conclusions and discussion.