Using Elementary Schools for Pediatric Practicum: An Alternative Approach

Social pediatrics in a baccalaureate nursing curriculum

“…Creative solutions must be found to meet the learning objectives for clinical rotations in pediatric nursing. The literature has many excellent examples of using non-traditional sites such as elementary and secondary schools [9,10] and clinical simulations. [13] These changes address shortages of acute care pediatric placements, but they also signal opportunities for ideological shifts in nursing eduation that emphasize current transitions in healthcare delivery from acute care to community and integrated care across health systems, [15] and greater emphasis on reaching populations in greatest need-where they live.…”

“…Students also develop and deliver health promotion events, such as health fairs and nutrition and dental hygiene sessions. [9,10] A concern is students' capacity to meet pediatric clinical objectives. One quantitative study randomly assigned students to either a hospital-based clnical placement, a half hospital and half non-traditional placement or a non-traditional placement.…”

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

“…Activities included obtaining anthropometric measurements9–11,13,16; conducting lead, hemoglobin, vision, and scoliosis screenings10,12,13,15,16; and managing common childhood illnesses and minor injuries 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 8,9,11–15. 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 8–16. 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…”

“…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.…”