title: A centralized, computerized, and relational data base for student clinical placements.
abstract: Quality clinical experiences are a critical component of advanced practice nursing (APN) curricula. Historically, nursing instructors coordinated both the didactic and clinical components of a course. Increasingly, course coordinators organize the didactic component, and external preceptors working in the clinical setting function as practicum teachers. Both scenarios involve labor-intensive processes, and neither facilitate the scheduling of clinical experiences that build on progressive learning across the student's curriculum. A centralized, computerized, relational data base for efficient management of APN preceptors and students across the curriculum was designed. One master's-prepared clinical coordinator maintains the data base and performs all related functions. This system offers numerous benefits to students, preceptors, ] faculty, and nursing school, including balanced and progressively complex clinical learning experiences for students from competent preceptors: consistent interface with students and preceptors; faculty relief from time-consuming tasks; rapid generation of a variety of tables, rosters, and reports; consistent tracking of preceptor evaluations; timely acknowledgment of preceptor assistance; and efficient communication among students, preceptors, faculty, and school administration.
authors.affiliation: John Hopkins University School of Nursing, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Lears
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Morrison
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Vessey
mesh_terms: D015142:Baltimore; D003628:Database Management Systems; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D009720:Nurse Clinicians / Q000193:education*; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012985:Software Design