The transition from classroom to clinical environment can be daunting for students, making the support they receive from practising nurses crucial. Registered nurses are pivotal in preparing students for clinical placements, ensuring they feel welcome, informed, and ready to learn. Here are some key strategies nurses can employ to support nursing students effectively.
Prepare students
Students frequently reach out before starting their clinical placements with various concerns. Nurses should be receptive and engaging with these inquiries, responding to alleviate anxieties and setting a positive tone. Nurses can provide additional preparation by providing students with a welcome pack with essential ward information. Sharing information about the clinical area helps students prepare effectively, and discussing their schedules in advance allows them to manage their responsibilities. Additionally, working with students to create a flexible timetable that accommodates their schedules and clinical experience needs is important.
Create learning opportunities
To create valuable learning opportunities for student nurses, nurses should start by understanding their learning objectives, including the clinical skills they need to develop, the specific experiences they want to gain, and any requirements from their educational institution. This can be achieved by arranging ‘spoke days’ – students can observe and learn from various health professionals, ensuring they gain practical experience through direct involvement in clinical tasks. They can also identify opportunities for them to engage in activities such as patient assessments, medication administration, wound care, and patient education sessions.
Provide constructive feedback
Regular meetings to review progress, provide feedback and address any concerns are crucial for a successful clinical placement. Nurses should provide regular feedback to student nurses during their clinical placements to help them understand their performance and identify areas for improvement. Regular feedback allows nurses to monitor students' progress and offer timely support and interventions.
Additionally, nurses should identify opportunities for students to participate in various clinical activities in which they need more experience. Students should be encouraged and guided on how to improve rather than made to feel discouraged when they do not achieve proficiency. This supportive approach helps them achieve their learning objectives more effectively.
Delegate tasks
Having a student nurse in a clinical area can be demanding and potentially overwhelming due to the daily responsibilities. To manage this effectively, it's crucial to inform the nursing team in advance about the student's arrival, allowing everyone to prepare and offer the necessary support. Delegating tasks to other nurses ensures the student is always supported, which can lighten the workload. Additionally, staff can provide valuable feedback about the student's performance.
Ask for help
It is essential to reach out for guidance from senior staff, practice assessors and universities if a nurse is unsure how to navigate having a student. Seeking guidance from these experienced sources can provide valuable insights and strategies to ensure a positive and productive clinical placement experience for the student nurse.
Empowering
By implementing these strategies, nurses can play a crucial role in shaping the future of nursing. Empowering student nurses through effective support, guidance, and mentorship not only benefits the students but also contributes to the overall strength and capability of the nursing profession.