Validating Clinical Preparedness Through Case Simulations During On-Campus FNP Intensives

The growth of distance education in schools of nursing has challenged faculty to prepare on-line nurse practitioner students to be clinically ready. While on-line clinically focused strategies have increased, many nursing schools have on-campus requirements to validate clinical preparedness of the nurse practitioner student. Our University requires that FNP students attend an on-campus program called Clinical Bound. The purpose of Clinical Bound is to test and prepare students before they begin their clinical preceptorships. Several teaching strategies are utilized during Clinical Bound but the focus of this presentation is the use of case simulations. There are twenty-seven case simulations which range from infant to the elderly and include nonacute to acute health problems. Students work in groups of two in the case simulations, one as the NP while the second is the "patient". The "patient" is provided with a history and physical exam data, lab work, x-rays and is encouraged to only provide the data as it is asked for by the student working as the NP. The student NP must work through the diagnostic process, formulate a final diagnosis(es) and treatment plan. When the class comes together again, each student NP presents the" patient" as if in the clinical setting. The NP faculty panel provide feedback addressing the following: presentation style, organization of data in the SOAP format, correct final diagnosis(es), and appropriate treatment plan.  The aims of the Case Simulations are 1). to prepare students to present patients orally in the clinical setting 2). to evaluate the student's ability to work through the clinical diagnostic process 3). to allow the student to receive critique and feedback in a nonthreatening, supportive academic setting.