RESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The dedicated education unit (DEU) is an innovative clinical model that prepares preceptors for success in clinical settings with nursing students. Though the DEU is mostly used in acute-care settings, this project explores the implementation of a DEU in a public health setting. OBJECTIVES: Better preparation of public health nurses and social workers as clinical preceptors for nursing students with the implementation of a DEU in a public health setting. DESIGN: IRB approved, pre/post survey with participant comments. MEASUREMENTS: Clinical Nurse Teacher Survey was assessed pre/post intervention with registered nurses and social work staff (n = 13). Paired t-tests analysis was used to determine significance. The Clinical Learning Environment and Nurse Teacher (CLES+T) scale completed postimplementation by nursing students (n = 8) after the clinical rotation. RESULTS: Clinical Nurse Teacher Survey mean scores preintervention was 4.56 and increased postintervention to 4.89, though not statistically significant (p-value .11). CLES+T showing 100% fully agree or agree that the Public Health DEU is an effective learning environment. CONCLUSIONS: The DEU model in a public health setting is an opportunity to improve lived clinical experiences of preceptors and nursing students, which may increase nursing students' positive perceptions of, and increase interest in serving as a public health nurse after graduation.