Clinical Training Innovation for Prelicensure Graduate Nursing Students to Expand Roles in Primary Care

With the aging population, the prevalence of chronic disease is increasing, requiring a team-based approach to care with registered nurses (RNs) playing a vital role.

Nursing education generally prioritizes acute care rather than ambulatory care; however, nursing students should also be prepared to adequately respond to the population needs for longitudinal chronic care management.

To address the need for RNs to assume a role in chronic care management, a School of Nursing and Health Professions piloted a clinical option in which second-degree master of science in nursing students are prepared to function as health coaches on primary care teams at a local community health center.

Reshifting the focus of nursing education to integrate primary care nursing, it is important to embed nursing students into primary care practices where they can learn about the longitudinal care of patients with chronic conditions.