Clinical competence of nursing students.

• Jurisdiction: Australia
• Author: Wilson, Christine
• Date: 01 February 2012

An increasing number of undergraduate nurses are referred to clinical coaches due to experiencing significant learning issues whilst on clinical placement.

Unfortunately these referrals occur when the students have almost completed their practicum. Such a delay affects the planning and implementation of timely rescue strategies which should be implemented much earlier. Proposed learning strategies must be consistent across all relevant stakeholders including the clinical coach, clinical facilitator and clinical placement venue staff.

Issues that contribute to students being referred for clinical coaching range from deficits in clinical practice to those involving communication and professional conduct. Effective early detection of clinical placement issues requires an understanding by all parties of the factors that impact on student learning.

Some students may be suffering from a personal crisis, such as an illness or death in the family, and need assistance in gaining counselling or time to manage their problem.

Students in these sorts of situations may only require an extension of...