Prepare students properly beforehand. All nursing students should have adequate preparation before they are allowed to enter the clinical setting. Nursing instructors should make sure students acquire the necessary body of knowledge to help them function in a patient-care setting. Instructors should be allowed to ask students to complete additional coursework, if students have noticeable areas of weakness before they are admitted for educational training in a clinical setting.
Define student objectives clearly during each week of clinical education. Students should enter their clinical education with a clearly defined series of goals that must be met. Each goal should build upon prior goals as they progress through the term. For example, students may be tested on the basics of charting procedures during the first month. During the second month nursing students must demonstrate they can chart correctly on their own without supervision.
Hire instructors that are well versed in educational as well as nursing theory. Clinical education requires instructors who have multiple skills. Such skills should include the ability to demonstrate nursing procedures effectively, familiarity with all aspects of nursing theory and an understanding of the challenges nursing students face as they move into a real world setting. A nursing instructor should have at least nine credits in education classes.
Provide students with the opportunity to explore as many aspects of nursing practice as possible. As students complete their clinical rotation, allow them to explore many areas of nursing. Include time in all areas of the hospital or nursing home. Ideally, a nursing student should be allowed to work with patients in the emergency room, labor and delivery, cancer ward, pediatrics, surgery and psychology. Students should be exposed to the hospitals' areas of specialization, such as trauma and neo-natalogy. A well-rounded overview of many areas of nursing will help students choose the area of nursing which suits them best.
Ask students to spend time instructing their fellow students. Students who have fully mastered a skill can demonstrate it to others. A student nurse should be comfortable instructing others in proper nursing procedures. As nurses, patient instruction will be an important part of their job. A student nurse should be able to communicate effectively with co-workers, supervisors and her patients.