[Quality criteria for university-based practical learning in nursing: Results of a Delphi method]

A Bachelor of Nursing qualification has been facilitated by the new Care Professions Reform Act since January 1, 2020 as a standard in Germany. Due to the Reform Act students must have completed 2,300hours of practical training in a healthcare institution. Recent projects have revealed that the practical part of current study programs is inadequate with regard to content, organization and didactics. Therefore, specific quality criteria need to be developed for institutions providing academic training of nursing professionals that are in line with the requirements of medical teaching hospitals.

These quality criteria have been developed from March 2019 to February 2020 in a three-phase process using the Delphi technique. Phases I and II were conducted as online surveys among various stakeholders (n = 396; n = 555) to identify quality criteria and to assess both their relevance and feasibility. Phase III consisted of an expert conference to finally select the quality criteria.

The result was a set of requirements for practical and academic education with a total of 55 criteria subdivided into five dimensions (organizational, personal, infrastructural, formal and didactic).

Against the background of the diversity of settings and institutions providing practice learning opportunities for nursing students and their specific frameworks, the practicability of individual criteria needs to be discussed. Also, the level of commitment and the related approval process have to be questioned.

The criteria developed should be a tool to leverage quality, that is to improve the practical learning part of the nursing study programs. The addressees include representatives of universities and healthcare institutions taking part in the fundamental academic qualification in nursing care. The results provide guidance for the selection and the design of strategic and operational cooperation. Furthermore, the criteria can be used as a basis for the certification of academic teaching institutions.