Developing an innovative undergraduate curriculum – responding to the 2002 National Review of Nursing Education in Australia

Clinical school partnerships: the way forward in nursing education, research and clinical practice

“…7 (p. 15) By 1990 all nursing education had been transferred to the tertiary education sector and since 1994 all registered nurses in Australia have been educated to bachelor degree level within universities. 8 By transferring nursing education to the higher education sector it was believed that the teaching of the theory that underpins nursing practice could be improved, as the focus would be on the learning needs of nursing students, rather than on the service needs of health facilities. It was also thought that "being a student rather than an employee would lessen the need for conformity in order to be accepted".…”

“…Examples include partnership arrangements involving placement of students with selected clinical agencies and secondment of agency-based clinicians as clinical teachers who in turn were provided with intensive ongoing support and professional recognition. 8 (p. 8) These models were found to enhance student learning through: familiarity with the organisation, its resources and procedures; acceptance and trust of the seconded clinical teachers by other clinical staff; and creation of a supportive learning environment through credible, committed and motivated clinical teachers to access diverse learning opportunities. 8 (p. 8) Other models have involved dedicated education units (DEU) where the partnership with three health care units facilitated an optimal clinical teaching and learning environment.…”

“…8 (p. 8) These models were found to enhance student learning through: familiarity with the organisation, its resources and procedures; acceptance and trust of the seconded clinical teachers by other clinical staff; and creation of a supportive learning environment through credible, committed and motivated clinical teachers to access diverse learning opportunities. 8 (p. 8) Other models have involved dedicated education units (DEU) where the partnership with three health care units facilitated an optimal clinical teaching and learning environment. 8 These DEUs resulted in enhanced transfer of theory into practice and enabled students to work collaboratively within the ward team.…”

“…8 (p. 8) Other models have involved dedicated education units (DEU) where the partnership with three health care units facilitated an optimal clinical teaching and learning environment. 8 These DEUs resulted in enhanced transfer of theory into practice and enabled students to work collaboratively within the ward team. 8 (p. 8) In an effort to acknowledge and capitalise on the "best" of both the hospital training and university education by utilising practice-based theoretically informed education, La Trobe University adopted a clinical school model which will now be described.…”

“…Currently, the predominant model of nursing education in Australia involves students receiving both theoretical and simulated clinical practice teaching at the university and then the "real life" clinical teaching in the clinical settings. 8 The clinical school described in this paper is an extension of this model and was designed to address the gaps between theory and practice in nursing education by ensuring that staff at both the university and the health care facility share the commitment and responsibility for student learning. This model also provides the opportunity to bring research into practice by involving clinicians.…”