Public Schools as a Clinical Experience for Nursing Students

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

“…Publications dating back to 1997 report nursing students conducting anthropometric measurements,9–11,13,16 performing hearing and lead screenings,9,10,12,13,15,16 and managing minor illnesses 11,13. Similarly, the literature shows that students developed handouts for parents, conducted community assessments, kept clinical journals, and completed nursing care plans 8,9,11–15. The lack of change in activities and assignments begs the question whether these teaching strategies are meeting the learning needs of students.…”

“…In the last 36 years, 10 publications have described placement of baccalaureate and graduate entry nursing students in Head Start, primary or elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools for pediatric practicums. [7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] Eight practicums were theory based; half (n = 4) were guided by service learning. 8,10,14,16 Two practicums were experiential based 11,13 ; one used interprofessional education and the other used Melander and Robert's clinical teaching associate model.…”

“…11,13 Nursing assignments included delivering health education and safety lessons to children and teachers, developing handouts for parents, conducting population assessments, writing reflective journals, and formulating nursing care plans. 8,9,[11][12][13][14][15] One practicum included home visits. 15 The efficacy of using school settings as pediatric practicum sites was evaluated by nursing student achievement of course objectives and school students' health outcomes.…”

“…8,9,[11][12][13][14][15] One practicum included home visits. 15 The efficacy of using school settings as pediatric practicum sites was evaluated by nursing student achievement of course objectives and school students' health outcomes. 7 Achievement of course objectives was measured through course evaluations, nursing student journals, and comments from teachers, school officials, parents, nursing faculty, and nursing students.…”

“…7 Achievement of course objectives was measured through course evaluations, nursing student journals, and comments from teachers, school officials, parents, nursing faculty, and nursing students. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16] School students' health outcomes were measured by the number of injuries, referrals, medications that were administered, and children who were ill; student absenteeism; and attainment of health knowledge by students, parents, and teachers. 8,10,12,14 Given the limited knowledge about the use schools as a practicum site, the aim of our study was to explore the utilization of private, parochial, and public elementary and secondary schools by accredited prelicensure baccalaureate nursing (BSN) programs in the United States for pediatric practicums.…”