Benefits for Students
- Development of fundamental clinical skills proficiency
- Opportunities to learn advanced clinical skills
- Enhancement of clinical judgment skills
- Integration into the unit care team
- Improved future employment prospects
- Increased exposure to and practice of clinical skills (10 - 18% more)
Benefits for Preceptors
- Improvement of clinical teaching skills
- Mentoring and coaching from clinical faculty
- Eligibility for the CNE-cl credential through the National League for Nursing
- Potential for clinical ladder advancement in some organizations
Benefits of Dedicated Education Units to the Health Care Organization
Enhanced Workforce Development
- Build care team capacity at no additional cost to the organization
- Establish efficient recruitment pathways for nursing
- Higher retention rates (43% of prior DEU students were hired as new graduates)
Improved Quality of Care
- Integration of current evidence-based practices through academic partnerships
- Continuous professional development of staff nurses serving as preceptors
Strengthened Academic-Practice Partnership
- Closer collaboration between health care facilities and nursing schools
- Opportunity to influence nursing curriculum based on real-world needs
Staff Engagement and Satisfaction
- Professional growth opportunities for staff nurses as preceptors
- Potential for clinical ladder advancement in some organizations
Cost-Effective Education Model
- Utilization of existing staff and resources for student education
- Reduced orientation time for new graduates who are familiar with the organization
Innovation in Patient Care
- Exposure to new ideas and research through academic collaboration
- Potential for quality improvement projects led by students and faculty
Enhanced Organizational Reputation
- Recognition as a center for nursing excellence and education
- Potential to attract high-quality nursing candidates
Streamlined Transition from Academia to Practice
- New graduates are better prepared for the specific work environment
- Reduced time and resources needed for new employee orientation