The establishment of structures and processes for the safe and effective clinical placement of nursing students

Quality education is essential to ensure the continuous provision of safe and competent health professionals entering the workforce. It is dependent on students experiencing an effective clinical placement. This paper discusses a matrix of organisational frameworks, including structures and processes applicable to the supervision of students' clinical learning by health professionals that potentially reduces patients to risk. The matrix is discussed through an analysis of the following: firstly, the legislative structures that regulate the discipline of nursing; secondly the regulatory structures within health sectors and higher education institutions for example, Deeds of Agreement and curriculum documents, and; thirdly those requisite processes, including communication between higher education institutions and within health sectors that ensure understanding of structures and accordingly adequate preparation of staff to undertake supervision. Safe and competent practice is reliant on clearly articulated structures and operationalising processes between the health service sector and higher education institutions that can assist staff and students meet requisite standards of practice.