Use of Private, Parochial, and Public Schools in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs for Pediatric Practicum

Clinical sites are increasingly difficult to secure due to shorter hospital stays, increased clinical site competition, and limited practicum sites. Little is known about the use of schools for pediatric clinical practicum.

To explore utilization of private, parochial, and public primary and secondary schools for pediatric clinical practicum sites.

Faculty (n = 108) completed a 38-item online survey.

Twenty-seven faculty members (25%) reported using schools for pediatric practicum. Most nursing students (85.1%) spent 23 total hours or less in schools obtaining anthropometric measurements, reviewing immunizations, and providing health education to children, parents, and teachers.

Using schools for the pediatric practicum is thought to be a common practice; our findings suggest otherwise. School-based practicums provide students with skills beyond acute care competencies. Nursing faculty need to seriously consider which pediatric clinical settings provide the best experience to prepare future nurses.