Earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degree in 2024 involves engaging with multiple education and skills-based components. While didactic coursework and interactive skill labs are important for establishing crucial foundations and critical competencies all aspiring registered nurses (RNs) need to know, they are often viewed as less impactful and eye-opening nursing then one of the most challenging and engaging aspects of BSN education: clinicals.
Nursing clinicals are an essential touchpoint for future nursing – often serving as nursing students’ first interaction with real-world nursing and patient care environments. Ensuring that students both understand and respect the expectations of nursing clinicals, along with the gravity of their influence is a must for BSN faculty and leadership.
Courtney Moline, Clinical Site Coordinator and Clinical Professor of Nursing at the University of Providence School of Health Professions, has seen hundreds of BSN students through their clinical rotations. Moline took the opportunity to breakdown the important components of nursing clinics, including what they are, common challenges and how to overcome them, and how UP specifically supports students as they navigate their nursing clinicals.
What are nursing clinicals and why are students required to take them?
Nursing clinicals are hands-on, supervised practice experiences in various healthcare settings where nursing students apply the theoretical knowledge they’ve gained in the classroom to real-world patient care. Clinicals are essential to a nursing education because they provide students with the opportunity to develop their clinical skills, enhance their critical thinking abilities, and gain firsthand experience in providing patient-centered care. Clinicals also allow students to demonstrate necessary skills and competencies outlined by nursing accrediting organizations.
At the University of Providence, clinical rotations expose students to various of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and specialized departments such as Neonatal Intensive Care (NICU), Obstetrics (OB), mental, and community health. The Board of Nursing requires students complete clinical experiences as part of a state’s standards for nursing education to ensure that graduates are competent, safe, and effective healthcare providers.
What are the most common challenges BSN students face during their clinicals, and how does UP best support students to address these challenges?
Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) students at UP often face challenges during their clinical rotations, especially in rural communities where finding adequate clinical space can be difficult. UP recognizes that these challenges require creativity and flexibility. Our faculty works hard to develop dynamic and varied clinical rotations, ensuring students gain exposure to diverse patient populations and clinical settings. Even in more rural areas, the ABSN program has found innovative solutions that allow students to experience a wide range of rotations.
What skills or competencies do students typically develop during their clinical experiences?
As a nursing instructor in the ABSN program, I can confidently say that students develop a broad range of critical skills during their clinical experiences. These skills include:
- Assessment and clinical judgment: Students learn how to perform thorough patient assessments, recognizing changes in patient conditions and applying evidence-based interventions.
- Clinical skills: In med-surg, surgery, emergency department, infusions, and respiratory care settings, students gain hands-on experience in performing nursing procedures, such as administering medications, wound care, and patient education.
- Critical thinking and decision-making: Through exposure to complex clinical scenarios, students develop the ability to think critically, prioritize care, and make informed decisions.
- Communication and collaboration: Students learn to communicate effectively with patients, families, and interdisciplinary healthcare teams, fostering collaborative relationships with physicians and other providers.
- Cultural competency: Students are exposed to diverse patient populations, which enhances their ability to provide culturally sensitive care.
How does UP support students in balancing clinicals demands with other responsibilities?
The ABSN program understands that clinicals are a significant time commitment that can be challenging for students to balance with academic coursework. Our program prioritizes open communication and encourages students to reach out if they are struggling. If necessary, program faculty will meet with students weekly to offer support and guidance, focusing on time management strategies to alleviate stress. Our goal is to create a supportive environment that fosters both academic and clinical success, helping students manage their responsibilities.
What kind of feedback or assessment do students receive during their clinicals? How do students use assessments and feedback to improve their practice?
Students receive continuous feedback and assessment throughout clinical rotations. They conduct comprehensive assessments of patients and work closely with nursing instructors, as well as with patients’ primary nurse, to ensure high-quality care. Feedback comes in various forms, including direct evaluation from instructors in the lab and clinical setting, self-assessment from the student, and feedback from student preceptors. These assessments help students identify areas for improvement, skill refinement, and for students to better understand their strengths.
In addition, the ABSN program encourages students to use Evidence-Based Practice apps employed by many hospital RNs to keep up with the latest protocols and best nursing practices. This not only ensures that students are practicing safely, but also promotes lifelong learning and the incorporation of the most current research into their practice.
Are there any strategies or resources you’d recommend to students who are about to start or are in the process of completing their clinical rotations?
To succeed in clinical rotations, students should fully utilize all available resources, including:
- Clinical instructors: Students should build strong relationships with their instructors, who are there to provide guidance and answer questions.
- Hospital resources: Hospital staff and veteran nurses can offer valuable insights and practical knowledge.
- Textbooks and online resources: Students are encouraged to refer to textbooks and evidence-based resources for patient care information and guidance.
- Peer support: Collaborating with classmates can provide additional perspectives and assistance.
By leveraging all these resources, students can overcome challenges, enhancing their learning experience, and providing exceptional care to patients.
At UP, the underlying goal is to ensure that each nursing student is well-equipped to enter the workforce as a confident, compassionate, and competent healthcare provider.
The road to becoming a RN starts with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Providence. Built around the patient-centered care model, graduates of UP’s nursing degrees are not only ready to sit for National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses (NCLEX-RN) but possess a foundational understanding of nursing practice and are equipped with the tools and skills needed to deliver quality, compassionate care across the lifespan.
**INFORMATION FOR THIS ARTICLE WAS SOURCED FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COURTNEY MOLINE, CLINICAL SITE COORDINATOR AND CLINICAL PROFESSOR OF NURSING AT UP**
