Impact of a Pandemic as a Forced Disruption in Nursing Education.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a pandemic as a forced disruption in nursing education to recover from and prepare for current and future disruptions. Four qualitative themes from Midwestern nursing professional development providers ( n = 60) noted impacts. Recommendations for nursing professional development leaders to support staff during turbulent times include preparation for online teaching and learning, and improved communication regarding essential education.

The Ambulatory Dedicated Education Unit (DEU): An important example of academic practice partnership in ambulatory care.

BACKGROUND: Academic Practice Partnerships (APPs) work synergistically to support mutual goals and educate the nursing workforce of the future. Enhanced recognition of the need for undergraduate nursing educational experiences in ambulatory care has increased the importance of Ambulatory APPs specifically. One mechanism for building Ambulatory APPs and shifting clinical education into multiple spheres of care is the Ambulatory Dedicated Education Unit (DEU). METHODS: Partners at the University of Minnesota and Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota developed an Ambulatory DEU in early 2019. Barriers to educating nursing students in the ambulatory setting were effectively mitigated through the design of the DEU and mutual efforts to sustain the Ambulatory APP through flexibility and adaptation. RESULTS: The Ambulatory DEU clinical learning model is a strong example of an effective Ambulatory APP. The DEU was effective in overcoming eight common barriers to clinical learning in ambulatory settings and engaged 28 expert ambulatory registered nurses in the clinical teaching of between 25 and 32 senior Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) students each year. Each student participating in the DEU experienced 90 h of ambulatory clinical learning. The Ambulatory DEU is in its fourth year and remains an effective mechanism for engaging nursing students in the competencies and complex care of ambulatory nursing. CONCLUSION: Increasingly complex nursing care is being provided in ambulatory care settings. The DEU is an effective mechanism to prepare students in the ambulatory sphere of care and is a unique opportunity for ambulatory practice partners to learn and grow from participating in a partnered teaching environment.

Implementation of a Dedicated Education Unit Model for ADN Students in a Rural Primary Care Setting.

BACKGROUND: Dedicated education unit (DEU) clinical education models are an innovative, evidence-based approach to create effective learning environments for students. These models have been implemented primarily in acute care settings. PROBLEM: The gap between nursing education and clinical practice in rural health care settings is a growing concern, compounded by a nursing faculty shortage and decreased availability of clinical sites. APPROACH: A descriptive study design was used to assess the outcomes of a DEU model of clinical practice with associate degree nursing students in a rural primary care clinic, using registered nurses (RNs) who were prepared as clinical nurse teachers. OUTCOMES: Associate degree nursing students experienced the RN role in primary care, worked with nurses who wanted to teach them, and improved their nursing skills. CONCLUSIONS: The DEU model is a positive clinical teaching pedagogy for students and staff nurses.