Implementing dedicated nursing clinical education unit: Nursing students' and preceptors' perspectives

• Published in: Journal of professional nursing 2021-05, Vol.37 (3), p.673-681
• Main Authors: Williams, Gerald, Al Hmaimat, Nathira, AlMekkawi, Mohamad, Melhem, Omar, Mohamed, Zahra
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Dedicated education unit; Nursing; Nursing preceptors; Nursing students; Student clinical placement
• ISSN: 8755-7223; 1532-8481
• DOI: 10.1016/j.profnurs.2021.04.002

The Dedicated Education Unit is a clinical learning model designated to deliver more targeted learning opportunities and enhance student nurses learning capacity. It provides students with more opportunities to develop their skills, experience different learning events, consolidate their knowledge, and build their professional nursing identity. The study followed a convergent parallel mixed-method design to investigate the nursing students and the nursing preceptors' perceptions of the Dedicated Education Unit model at Mafraq hospital. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected from a sample of sixty-seven nursing students and 20 nursing preceptors from March to May 2019. The overall results of the study were positive. Nursing preceptors were confident to communicate and constructively interact, motivate, and facilitate students' learning. However, they requested better support and more free time to supervise and answer students' questions. Nursing students reported positive learning at the dedicated units. However, they requested more support from nursing preceptors. Implementing a Dedicated Education Unit model supported the nursing preceptors' role and enhanced nursing students' learning opportunities and hands-on experiences. Achieving a positive effect of the dedicated nursing clinical education unit requires constant collaboration between healthcare facilities and nursing education programs to maximize nursing students learning. •DEU is a useful clinical training model for nursing students.•Adequate collaboration between healthcare and academic institutions augments DEU success.•Effective preparation and support of nursing preceptors enhance students' experiences.•Presence of more academic faculty supports both students and preceptors.•Novice students require more support of preceptors and faculty members.