NONPF 40th Annual Meeting

External challenges to effective advanced practice nursing clinical education are increasing, especially in the current economic climate. At the same time, healthcare reform is creating an increasing demand for competent advanced practice nurses to function as part of a multidisciplinary team to provide high-quality healthcare in both acute and primary care settings. But with fewer and fewer clinical sites and preceptors available, limited funding for clinical education, and increasing certification requirements, many APRN clinical faculty are left wondering where and how to prepare a strong workforce.

In this symposium, the authors will present four innovative strategies used at this School of Nursing to achieve the goal of mitigating these challenges while enhancing the clinical training of their APRN students. The first two presenters will discuss how interprofessional education and academic-community partnerships maximize collaborative relationships for more efficient, yet more meaningful learning opportunities for trainees. The next two presenters will demonstrate that educational technology, from online course management and clinical tracking systems to online simulation activities and distance learning, can be used creatively and effectively to supplement clinical education and build confidence in learners. 

Discussion among participants will be fostered and encouraged so that each learner will leave the symposium with an “action plan” for implementing similar strategies in their own programs.