Bridging Transitions in Academic and Clinical Experiences for Nurse Practitioner Students

There are multifaceted challenges in California for children with acute health conditions who are at risk for experiencing gaps in the health care system associated with transitions in their development, acuity and/or environment for health care that necessitate innovative and collaborative educational strategies for future health care providers  One educational intervention that has been implemented to bridge these challenges in this third largest state in the US is to expand the clinical practice role for Acute Care Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (ACPNPs) to address these transitions and potential gaps in the health care system for this vulnerable population.

However, as a component of expanding the ACPNP role, there are additional unique clinical challenges in bridging traditional ACPNP-focused coursework with innovative clinical applications for ACPNP students. These challenges include providing safe clinical learning environments for exposure to the scope of management for acutely ill children; developing and implementing clinical opportunities that enhance evolving student learning regarding transitions in health care, and supporting clinical preceptors to provide students with learning activities focused on transitions in acute care environments.  This presentation will address the use of varied distance learning methodologies and clinical applications to link ACPNP students in Northern and Southern parts of the state to participate in a singular experience in ACPNP education that reflects the academic strengths of two state universities and the diverse communities that these institutions support.  This educational and clinical collaborative of faculty, students and preceptors enrich and support each other in teaching and applying concepts in transitional care for acutely ill children and their families and is instrumental in meeting the current and future health challenges for this vulnerable population.