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Background: Western Governors University (WGU) is an accredited, online nursing school with a competency-based learning model. Clinical education is comprised of learning skills and patient care competencies in simulation labs followed by agency-based clinical intensives. One of the agency-based clinical sites is the AA units at Eskenazi Health where students are guided by expert AA staff nurses (Clinical Coaches) who provide coaching and clinical learning opportunities. Eskenazi Health is a county safety net facility with 320 inpatient beds. The Acuity Adaptable Units are located on 3 hospital floors with 144 capable beds. All rooms are telemetry capable, private and have patient ceiling lift equipment.
Description: The Clinical Coaches (CC) and Clinical Instructor (CI) were trained by WGU and met school requirements. The CI is a Clinical Nurse Specialist at Eskenazi Health on the Acuity Adaptable Units. Students attend clinicals on the AA units for 3 courses: CASAL I, CASAL II, and Chronic Care. If available, students have the same CC and CI for all three clinical experiences. Each clinical group has 10 students. Students work the CC’s schedule and complete 60 hours of clinical for CASALI and II and 72 hours for Chronic Care. Students are evaluated by the CC and CI. Additionally, the CI evaluates the students’ weekly journal and facilitates the online post-conference.
Outcome: The partnership began in 2012. A total of 5 cohorts (3 clinical groups per cohort) were completed on the Acuity Adaptable units. The sixth cohort will end shortly and the seventh cohort will soon begin. Students reported satisfaction with having consistency in CI, CC, and clinical site and enjoyed real-life learning experiences. Three WGU graduates are currently employed as Eskenazi RNs.
Interpretation: The partnership should continue to be evaluated. A formal evaluation process of CC and CI experiences should be included in future evaluations.