The cold clinic: a collaborative nursing effort to benefit students

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Public Health
• Healthcare Collaboration

Background:

• University health centers offer crucial self-care support.
• Integrating student learning with clinical practice can enhance healthcare services.
• Early baccalaureate nursing students require practical experience in communication and assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the benefits of pairing nursing students with a university health center's cold clinic.
• To enhance student learning through hands-on patient interaction.
• To improve client care and promote self-care behaviors within the university community.

Main Methods:

• Beginning baccalaureate nursing students collaborated with a university health center's self-care cold clinic.
• Students assisted clients through the clinic's five stations.
• Focus was placed on developing communication, assessment, and critical thinking skills.

Main Results:

• Nursing students provided personalized care, fostering relationships and practicing essential skills.
• The health center benefited from innovative techniques introduced by students.
• Clients received dedicated attention from a personal care provider.
• Students enhanced critical thinking and practical nursing skills.

Conclusions:

• The collaboration successfully educated nursing students.
• Patient wellness and self-care behaviors were promoted.
• This interprofessional model benefits students, clients, and the health center.