Nursing Students' Perceptions of Taking Part in an Inter-Professional Clinical Study Unit

• Published in: Nordic journal of nursing research 2013-09, Vol.33 (3), p.39-43
• Main Authors: Bahnsen, Iben Bøgh, Braad, Mette, Lisby, Hanne, Sørensen, Ingrid Maria
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0107-4083; 2057-1585; 2057-1593
• DOI: 10.1177/010740831303300309

Background: Length of hospitalization is reduced demanding effective and timely interventions from all health professions. In an Interprofessional Clinical Study Unit (ICSU) students have the opportunity to develop inter-professional competencies. Nevertheless some nursing students have commented that staying in an ICSU is an interruption in their final clinical placement with limited learning possibilities. Aim: The aim of the study was to explore nursing students' perceptions of taking part in an ICSU. Methods: The study was qualitative with explorative, descriptive and interpretative aspects. Data were collected among nursing students by focus group interviews. Findings: Nursing students increased knowledge of both own and other professions. Similarly, they realised the importance of interprofessional teamwork. However, they problematized that it was difficult to see the relevance and to integrate the stay at ICSU in their final clinical placement. Moreover, students spent a considerable amount of time on basic nursing tasks during their stay at the ICSU; skills already acquired earlier in their education programme. Conclusion: Staying in an ICSU improved inter-professional collaboration skills. It is, however, important to stress the importance of basic nursing tasks being the foundation for nursing assessments in the final part of the education.