Clinical Compass: Guiding the Relationship Between Clinical and Didactic Learning

Evidence demonstrates there is a need for innovation and further investigation on how to best prepare nursing students for practice. A consistent framework is necessary to guide students, theory faculty, and clinical instructors.

A tool was created to transform the student learning experience. This tool, the Clinical Compass, provides opportunity to better integrate didactic knowledge within the clinical experience. The tool was evaluated by creating a questionnaire for both students and faculty.

Survey data were collected from both student and instructor groups via an anonymous electronic survey. Both student and instructor surveys yielded positive results reflecting improved connection between theoretical and clinical knowledge.

Data support continued use and ongoing revisions of the Clinical Compass tool. The tool will be adapted for use in the classroom, specialty areas, and virtual and simulation environments. [.