Strategies in Student Clinical Learning for Educators and Regulators

Maureen Cahill

Regulation Influences Education and Vice Versa

The main goal of a nursing regulator, related to nursing education, is to ensure that RNs [APRNs] entering the workforce have the necessary skills and knowledge to practice nursing [advanced nursing].

97% of Boards of Nursing [BONs] approve pre-licensure nursing education programs in their states. [MS,UT]

19 states require that nursing programs have national accreditation

51% of BONs approve APRN nursing programs in their states. APRN programs are accredited.

Clinical Innovation Types

Dedicated Education Units

Received positively by students and preceptors

Requires planning and dedicated resources

More frequent in urban academic centers

Few issues for regulators

Clinical Innovation Types

Clinical Simulation NCSBN pre-licensure study: 5 ADN/5 BSN control group[none or

<10%] or 25% replaced hours or 50% replaced hours

In measures of knowledge and clinical competence, including NCLEX scores and preceptor ratings, no differences at program end or during first 6 months of practice.

Clinical Innovation Types Partnerships

Between program types ADN and BSN BSN and Graduate Graduate and Post Graduate Academic and practice regional consortia

Between professional types Shared courses

Pharmacology Physiology

Shared skills labs [physical and sim] Faculty/practice partnerships

Clinical Innovation Types

End of program Immersion: Transition to practice programs - NCSBN study for

pre-licensure: Transition to practice in hospital settings found no

differences in the TTP study group and the established transition programs

New nurses in established transition programs that were standardized, evidence based, and in existence at least 2 years had best outcomes over time.

APRN residency programsFirst introduced by concept in 2005, there are now 24 listed

programs on: http://www.graduatenursingedu.org/nurse-practitioner-residency-programs/

Regulation Influences Education and Vice Versa

The main goal of a nursing regulator, related to nursing education, is to ensure that RNs [APRNs] entering the workforce have the necessary skills and knowledge to practice nursing [advanced nursing] at entry level.