The Idaho Model: Implementing a Dedicated Education Unit

Saturday, 29 October 2011

Joanne T. Clavelle, MS, RN, NE-BC, FACHE
St. Luke's Regional Medical Center, Boise, ID
Pamela Springer, PhD, RN
School of Nursing, Boise State University, Boise, ID

Learning Objective 1: 1. The learner will be able to differentiate core attributes of the Idaho Model

Learning Objective 2: 2. The learner will be able to identify steps to implement a dedicated education unit.

Our dedicated education unit (DEU) is an innovative, service/academic partnership – a collaboration among academic faculty, nursing students, and hospital staff. It is intended to improve the educational experience and levels of satisfaction for nursing students. The DEU implements best practices in student clinical rotations and has led to better outcomes for students and staff nurses in our organization. 

Under this unique partnership, staff nurses who want to work with students move into a new role as clinical nurse mentors, who provide a consistent relationship with and primary oversight of nursing students.  Academic faculty members plan and evaluate student learning, and also assume a new role of supporting the nurse mentors. Faculty members coach the mentors, and the mentors provide hands-on instruction for the students. 

Benefits for the hospital:

  • Supports the novice-to-expert learning continuum
  • Promotes the professional development of an experienced workforce, with a focus on advancement and certification
  • Provides a cost-effective method to accommodate the increasing demand for clinical placement slots 

Benefits for schools of nursing:

  • Increases number of available clinical rotation slots for students
  • Offers a standardized practice environment and high quality clinical practicum experience for students
  • Fosters a “community of practice” framework that promotes student engagement and participation 

Benefits for students:

  • Provides a consistent student/mentor relationship and a supportive, unit-based culture
  • Promotes more focused attention on critical thinking skills at the bedside
  • Increases satisfaction with clinical rotations 

The dedicated education unit fosters a mutually effective partnership of pride and ownership by providing a supportive and caring environment for excellence in nursing education and patient care.