Pre-licensure nursing students have a final capstone practicum or clinical course as they transition to the professional nurse role. Generally, the student role requires increased independent practice, which can be a challenge. Nursing students’ final clinical course is typically expected to facilitate their transition to professional practice. The senior practicum or transitions practicum is designed for the student to partner with a practicing nurse preceptor to learn both nursing role and skills. Learning during the senior practicum is important as the student will recognize the development of their own intellectual knowledge, psychomotor skills, and affective attitudes as they transition from nursing student to nurse graduate.
Supporting nursing students in learning is an important role for educators. The student’s decision of where they should complete their nursing school practicum can be a difficult decision, especially when there are many options in the specialty, local, and distant areas, and internationally. Developing a process to improve selection quality for an integrated application became a challenging goal. By analyzing and reorganizing the process, a strategy was developed, one with the functionality and technical capabilities to support the wide-ranging needs of all clinical practicum options.
We developed a web-based application using Qualtrics® survey software. Students were provided a link to complete the application within a two-week time frame. We divided options into the categories based on specialty areas. Students were provided a text box to provide a 250-word narrative about why they are interested in the practicum specialty areas. Practicum requests were received from all 106 student applicants. Results were uploaded to an Excel spreadsheet and reviewed by educators to assign all student placements.
Using technology to support the application has enabled educators to successfully assign students to the practicum site of their choice. Further investigation is necessary to explore students’ satisfaction with the system used for the application.
See more of: Evidence-Based Practice Sessions: Oral Paper & Posters