Using Elementary Schools for Pediatric Practicum: An Alternative Approach

Are pediatric practicum experiences a beneficial component of registered nurse education programs? Nursing students and new graduates weigh in: A qualitative descriptive research study

BACKGROUND

In Canada, the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives requires baccalaureate registered nurse education programs to deliver a generalist curriculum meeting entry-level competencies. To fulfill this requirement, nursing programs ensure the provision of practice opportunities for hands-on experience with patients of all ages through practicum. Current literature suggests the limited availability of clinical placement opportunities in pediatric settings. This may reduce the opportunity for nursing students to become acquainted with the unique needs of infants, children, and adolescents as part of their nursing education.

AIM

This study aimed to explore students' and new graduates' experiences of acute and community pediatric clinical practicum as part of their British Columbia nursing education program.

SETTINGS, PARTICIPANTS, AND METHODS

This study utilized a qualitative descriptive approach. Fifteen online semi-structured interviews were conducted with thirteen undergraduate nursing students and two recent graduates. Participants in this study were distributed across the province of British Columbia, representing the North, the Interior, and the Lower Mainland. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

The key themes of relational practice and exposure to lived experiences (and their related subthemes) are explored in detail. Both themes encapsulate the importance that nursing students ascribe to the pediatric practicum experience as part of their nursing education.

CONCLUSION

The result of this study deduced that the pediatric practicum experience provided nursing students with learning opportunities they may not get elsewhere such as: building relationships with children, adolescents, and their families within the context of care and developing awareness of the lived experiences of health and illness with each patient encounters. This unique perspective of nursing students may prove valuable for the planning and delivery of clinical learning in nursing education programs.

Use of Private, Parochial, and Public Schools in Baccalaureate Nursing Programs for Pediatric Practicum

BACKGROUND

Clinical sites are increasingly difficult to secure due to shorter hospital stays, increased clinical site competition, and limited practicum sites. Little is known about the use of schools for pediatric clinical practicum.

PURPOSE

To explore utilization of private, parochial, and public primary and secondary schools for pediatric clinical practicum sites.

METHODS

Faculty (n = 108) completed a 38-item online survey.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven faculty members (25%) reported using schools for pediatric practicum. Most nursing students (85.1%) spent 23 total hours or less in schools obtaining anthropometric measurements, reviewing immunizations, and providing health education to children, parents, and teachers.

CONCLUSION

Using schools for the pediatric practicum is thought to be a common practice; our findings suggest otherwise. School-based practicums provide students with skills beyond acute care competencies. Nursing faculty need to seriously consider which pediatric clinical settings provide the best experience to prepare future nurses.

Pediatric practicums in undergraduate nursing programs: an integrative review

BACKGROUND

Practicum Placements are the signature andragogy used in undergraduate nursing programs to bring about knowledge consolidation. Little is known, however, about the types of pediatric practicum placements utilized by nursing programs to provide practical learning opportunities in child health to their students. The purpose of this integrative review is to identify and appraise existing literature on practical pediatric practices in undergraduate nursing education.

METHOD

Searches were conducted using the main relevant databases and search engines. Of the numerous articles retrieved, screened, and reviewed, 15 met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Results were then analyzed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Two overarching themes were identified: (1) Adaptation, and (2) Learning.

CONCLUSION

Findings revealed that most nursing programs utilize alternative placement sites to meet the learning need of their students. These sites provided students with the opportunities to care for children and adolescents, and engage in a variety of health promotion and teaching activities.