Pediatric practicums in undergraduate nursing programs: an integrative review

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Pediatric Nursing
• Andragogy

Background:

• Practicum placements are essential for consolidating knowledge in undergraduate nursing programs.
• Limited understanding exists regarding the specific types of pediatric practicum placements used.
• This review addresses the gap in knowledge concerning pediatric practical learning experiences for nursing students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify and critically evaluate existing literature on pediatric practicum experiences in undergraduate nursing education.
• To understand the nature and scope of pediatric practical learning opportunities offered to nursing students.

Main Methods:

• An integrative review methodology was employed.
• Searches were conducted across major databases and search engines.
• Fifteen articles were selected based on inclusion/exclusion criteria and analyzed using thematic analysis.

Main Results:

• Thematic analysis revealed two primary themes: Adaptation and Learning.
• Findings indicate a prevalent use of alternative placement sites by nursing programs.
• These alternative sites offer valuable opportunities for students to engage with pediatric populations.

Conclusions:

• Most nursing programs leverage alternative sites to fulfill student learning requirements in pediatric care.
• These placements enable students to care for children and adolescents.
• Students gain experience in diverse health promotion and educational activities within these settings.