Enhancing the undergraduate nursing education experience with clinical elective courses

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Practice
• Higher Education

Background:

• Undergraduate nursing programs aim to prepare students for diverse career paths.
• There is a need for specialized training to enhance new graduate nurse readiness.
• Collaboration between academic institutions and clinical partners is crucial for curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate three undergraduate clinical electives in specialty nursing areas.
• To meet student demand for advanced knowledge in perioperative, neonatal intensive care, and oncology nursing.
• To address clinical practice partner needs for specialized nursing staff.

Main Methods:

• Co-development of three specialty nursing elective courses by faculty and clinical partners.
• Implementation of electives focusing on foundational knowledge and skills in specific practice areas.
• Evaluation of student and employer satisfaction and recruitment outcomes.

Main Results:

• Successful development and implementation of perioperative, neonatal intensive care, and oncology nursing electives.
• High levels of student and employer satisfaction reported.
• Positive impact on new graduate nurse recruitment and employment by practice partners.

Conclusions:

• Specialty clinical electives enhance undergraduate nursing education and career readiness.
• Collaborative curriculum development strengthens relationships between schools of nursing and clinical partners.
• These programs effectively prepare nurses for specialized roles and meet workforce demands.