Introduction: Today’s complex and ever-changing health care system requires that new graduate nurses enter the field with strong leadership skills. Baccalaureate nurse educators are challenged with the task of creating innovative educational strategies to build a community of strong nursing leaders. Not only is the healthcare environment complex and changing, so to is the college student population. Students are multi-tasking responsibilities of family, school, and job. In an effort to accommodate student schedules, while maintaining the high quality of the curricula, a guided, self-designed clinical format was implemented.

Purpose: This presentation will describe this alternative clinical strategy for developing leadership abilities in baccalaureate, senior-level nursing students enrolled in a nursing leadership course. Description: This clinical format required students to complete designated hours in areas such as continuing education, community health, political, and legislative arenas. Students also completed experiences with preceptors in advanced practice, supervisory, and management roles. Students provided guidance to junior-level students in clinical areas while under the supervision of a clinical instructor.

Findings: The leadership students reported that the flexible clinical format allowed them to meet personal clinical objectives, enhance professional development, strengthen organizational skills, and develop leadership abilities. An overview of the implementation process, clinical requirements, successes and challenges will be discussed.

Learner Objectives: At the end of this presentation, the learner will be able to evaluate the need for change in pedagogical approaches for educating future nurse leaders and be able to discuss the advantages of a guided, self-designed clinical format for a baccalaureate leadership course.

Back to Posters II
Back to 15th International Nursing Research Congress
Sigma Theta Tau International
July 22-24, 2004