Clinical Compass: Guiding the Relationship Between Clinical and Didactic Learning

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Skills Development
• Healthcare Pedagogy

Background:

• There is a recognized need for improved methods to prepare nursing students for professional practice.
• A standardized framework is essential for guiding nursing students, theory faculty, and clinical instructors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate the Clinical Compass, an innovative tool designed to enhance nursing student learning experiences.
• To assess the effectiveness of the Clinical Compass in integrating didactic knowledge with clinical practice.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Clinical Compass tool to facilitate the integration of theoretical and clinical learning.
• Evaluation of the tool through anonymous electronic surveys administered to both nursing students and faculty.
• Collection and analysis of quantitative data from student and instructor feedback.

Main Results:

• Positive survey results were obtained from both student and instructor groups.
• Data indicated an improved connection between theoretical knowledge and practical clinical application among nursing students.
• The Clinical Compass demonstrated effectiveness in enhancing the learning experience.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the continued utilization and iterative refinement of the Clinical Compass tool.
• Future adaptations are planned for classroom settings, specialized nursing areas, and simulation-based education.
• The tool shows promise for broader application in diverse nursing educational environments.