Teaching patient assessment: the pros & cons of clinical rounds

The first step in the nursing process is assessment. Facility with patient assessment skills precludes planning, implementing and evaluating patient care. Teaching patient assessment is time consuming and potentially anxiety-provoking. Classroom lectures and practice labs are not enough if students are to learn how to assess patients with pathophysiological responses. We found that clinical rounds on select patientw was a most important adjunct. Coordinating and conducting clinical rounds presents many problems but faculty and students are in complete agreement that the advantages far outweigh the disadvantages. We are hoping that others can "go to school" on some of our experiences as we will continue to do so.