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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to identify the elements needed to create and utilize an alternative clinical learning environment with foundational students.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to discuss the benefits and challenges of using an alternative clinical learning environment for foundational students.
Kelly J. Betts, MNSc, RN., Ayasha P. Stewart, MNSc, WHNP-BC., Anita Mitchell, PhD, RN, FNP-BC
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Nursing
In the United States, nursing faculty are faced with many challenges. One of the issues involves trying to provide nursing students with in-patient clinical experiences so that their clinical requirements can be met and they can become proficient in required nursing skills. In particular, faculty members struggle with the issue of not getting enough clinical slots in local area hospitals to meet the needs of the clinical requirements of the course. As a result of limited clinical opportunities, nursing faculty are then faced with the challenge of creating alternative clinical learning environments that promotes learning of fundamental nursing skills and critical thinking abilities. These components are essential for the success of foundational students. Many schools rely on simulation labs and other sources of simulated clinical experiences to help meet the school’s and state board's clinical requirements. This presentation will discuss how a team of faculty at the University of Arkansas for Medical sciences, College of Nursing created and utilized an alternative learning environment for their Foundations of Nursing II course in their baccalaureate nursing program. The alternative clinical learning environment was created using the patient simulators in the simulation lab and an online patient community provided by Pearson called “The Neighborhood”. The development of this alternative clinical learning environment provided students with a simulated in-patient hospital environment combined with virtual patient/familty scenarios and electronic health records and materials to enhance the virtual simulated environment. This enabled the students to learn essential concepts such as nursing skills, medication administration, lab interpretation, assessment skills, effective communication skills and critical thinking skills.
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