Using the ACE Model in an Accelerated Nursing Program

There has been an emerging crisis in healthcare and healthcare education for several years with the demand of registered nurses exceeding the supply. This shortage has caused an increase in admissions in nursing programs across the Country, which in turn, has caused educators to develop innovative clinical education models. This increase in admissions poses a challenge for nurse educators, who focus on quality of education rather than quantity. How do we as educators enhance and expand student learning with this increased enrollment in programs and decrease in both clinical sites and faculty? This presentation will talk about how at the University of Tennessee College of Nursing went from the Designated Education Unit (DEU) clinical model to the Altered Clinical Experience (ACE) Model to better fit the needs of our students in our Accelerated Nursing Program. During this presentation the accelerated nursing program at the University of Tennessee will be described and the clinical requirements will be explained. The ACE clinical model as we practice it at the University of Tennessee will be thoroughly described. A description of how the Altered Clinical Experience (ACE) model adds a more supervisory component to the designated education unit creating a greater effectiveness in communication with the students, preceptors, and managers will be provided. A discussion of how this type of practice partnership allows effective transfer of knowledge from the classroom to the clinical setting will be evident. The ACE provides innovative clinical education delivery model designed for the changing canvas of the healthcare environment. By implementing this model we are better able to meet the needs of our students, healthcare facilities, and nursing faculty. Formative feedback in the form of students comments will be provided. Anecdotal feedback from faculty, nurses, and managers will be discussed to help gain a better understanding of the benefits of the ACE.