Innovation in community clinical placements: a Canadian survey.
Ongoing restructuring within the health care system juxtaposed with mandated increased seats in nursing programs have taxed traditional clinical practice settings beyond their capacity. In the search for suitable clinical placements to meet learning objectives and fulfill required clinical hours, nursing program administrators are turning to various non-traditional settings. Yet limited research exists to describe the prevalence and types of 'innovative' clinical placements (ICPs) or the nature and quality of student learning in such settings. Described in this article are findings from a national survey of Canadian baccalaureate nursing programs completed by nurse educators and clinical placement coordinators regarding nursing student placements within ICPs. Participant survey responses provide a national snap-shot of ICPs, along with perspectives on pedagogy, strengths and weaknesses, capacity and sustainability issues, and ethical, legal and academic considerations associated with student placements in these settings.
Hoe Harwood
Catherine
C
Trinity Western University. harwood@twu.ca
Reimer-Kirkham
Sheryl
S
Sawatzky
Richard
R
Terblanche
Landa
L
Van Hofwegen
Lynn
L
D000328:Adult; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D003159:Community-Institutional Relations; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007373:Interinstitutional Relations; D007587:Job Description; D008297:Male; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D010561:Personnel Staffing and Scheduling / Q000458:organization & administration*; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration; D055815:Young Adult