Reimagining the Future of Clinical Nursing Education: A Cohort Partnership Model.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: As the demand for registered nurses increases, innovative methods for stabilizing, improving, and ensuring the longevity of quality clinical nursing education should be considered. Traditionally, full-time nursing faculty teach nursing students in clinical settings. PROBLEM: Considering the impending nurse educator crisis, characterized by increasing demands on a dwindling nursing faculty, traditional approaches to clinical nursing education are no longer feasible. APPROACH: A new clinical cohort model (CCM), developed from an academic/health system partnership, is proposed as an innovative approach to future clinical nursing education. OUTCOMES: CCM implementation resulted in a significant reduction in the cost of educating nursing students. The health care system noted a 100% postgraduation 2-year retention rate among cohort students. Nursing students overwhelmingly expressed satisfaction, comfort, and new opportunities through participation in the CCM. CONCLUSIONS: This new CCM has significant benefits for schools of nursing, health care systems, and nursing students.