Nursing Student Preference for Block Versus Nonblock Clinical Models.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Practice Models
• Undergraduate Curriculum

Background:

• Clinical experiences are vital for nursing students' professionalism and theory-practice integration.
• Limited evidence exists to guide the selection of effective clinical models in nursing education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine undergraduate nursing students' preferences for different clinical models.
• To understand how clinical structure influences students' perceived learning.

Main Methods:

• Descriptive exploratory study involving nursing students from four Canadian schools.
• Thematic analysis of qualitative data to address student preferences and learning influences.

Main Results:

• Students preferred non-block clinical practice for lifestyle balance, theory integration, and reflection.
• Block clinical models were favored for assimilation, consolidation, and socialization.

Conclusions:

• Integrating both non-block and block clinical models is recommended for undergraduate nursing curricula.
• Each model offers distinct benefits that can enhance student learning and development.