A curriculum model for an integrated senior year clinical experience

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Delivery Transformation
• Community Health

Background:

• Healthcare delivery is shifting from hospitals to community settings.
• This necessitates changes in nursing practice, student education, curricula, and clinical experiences.
• Nursing is recognized as an independent practice beyond traditional healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To restructure the baccalaureate nursing program's senior-level clinical education.
• To prepare nursing students for community-based client needs and professional demands.
• To integrate content between education and managed care systems, aligning with Pew Health Professions Commission recommendations.

Main Methods:

• Merged three senior-level clinical courses: pediatrics, public health, and nursing leadership and management.
• Created a single, integrated clinical experience for senior nursing students.
• Examined collective values and beliefs regarding course content and learning experiences to eliminate redundancies.

Main Results:

• Successfully integrated diverse clinical content into a unified senior-level experience.
• Addressed redundancies and replication in learning activities across former separate courses.
• Developed a curriculum that reflects the evolving landscape of community-based healthcare.

Conclusions:

• The integrated approach better prepares nursing students for contemporary healthcare delivery.
• Restructuring clinical education is vital for aligning nursing programs with community health needs.
• This model supports the concept of community as encompassing all settings where healthcare is sought.