What is a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU)?
A DEU is a collaborative model in nursing education that transforms a traditional hospital unit into an immersive clinical teaching and learning environment, led jointly by clinical staff and academic faculty.
How is the DEU different from traditional clinical placements?
Unlike traditional placements, the DEU empowers staff nurses to serve as primary instructors for students, with support and collaboration from faculty, fostering a true academic-practice partnership.
What role do staff nurses play in the DEU?
Staff nurses volunteer to serve as preceptors after receiving initial and ongoing professional development. They teach students at the bedside while collaborating with faculty to ensure high-quality learning experiences.
What is the role of academic faculty in the DEU?
Faculty support both students and preceptors by facilitating teaching, ensuring learning objectives are met, providing real-time guidance, and evaluating student performance in partnership with preceptors.
How does the DEU benefit nursing students?
Students develop core clinical skills, enhance their clinical judgment, integrate into the care team, and gain increased exposure to hands-on learning — often 10 - 18% more than traditional models.
How are preceptors supported in their teaching role?
Preceptors attend workshops that introduce evidence-based teaching strategies and receive ongoing mentoring and coaching from faculty to grow their skills as clinical educators.
Can preceptors gain professional recognition through the DEU?
Yes. Preceptors may become eligible for the CNE-cl credential through the National League for Nursing and may qualify for clinical ladder advancement in some organizations.
What are the organizational benefits of implementing a DEU?
Organizations see improved workforce development, higher new graduate retention, cost-effective education, quality care improvements, and enhanced reputation for nursing excellence.
How does the DEU strengthen academic-practice partnerships?
By aligning education with real-world practice, DEUs allow health systems to shape curricula, improve collaboration, and support both preceptor and student development.
Does the DEU impact new graduate readiness?
Absolutely. Students educated in DEUs transition more smoothly into practice, with reduced orientation time and greater familiarity with the organization’s culture and expectations.
How can I get started if I’m interested in creating or joining a DEU?
To get started, contact the DEU team at the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center by emailing Tolvalyn Dennison at tolvalyn.dennison@umaryland.edu. The team will guide you through the process and connect you with the appropriate resources and training.
Have Questions or Need Support?
Reach out to the DEU team at the Maryland Nursing Workforce Center:
- Tolvalyn Dennison, MSN, RN, AGCNS-BC, CNE
Project Director
dennison@umaryland.edu - Jen Dalton, PhD, RN, CNE, CHSE
Project Faculty
dalton@umaryland.edu - Denise Owens, DNP, RN, CCRN, CNE
Project Coordinator
owens@umaryland.edu - Crystal DeVance-Wilson, PhD, MBA, PHCNS-BC
Project Administrator
devance-wilson@umaryland.edu