Implementation of a Dedicated Education Unit for Baccalaureate Students: Process and Evaluation

There are many spokes of interpretations for nurses’ experiences as students, staff administrators, and faculty. This article shares the voices of people who participated in a clinical education model for nursing students called a Dedicated Education Unit (DEU).This pilot DEU explored the question: what is the nursing students’ experience when partnering with the same registered nurse (RN) throughout the clinical experience. The partnership between the Clinical Instructor (CI) and student nurse mimicked the role of preceptor and new graduate nurse. The difference between a preceptor and the CI of a DEU is the vital role faculty plays in providing a constant presence on the clinical unit, coaching CIs and students throughout the clinical rotation.

Because of the reliable support from their CIs and time spent together from week to week, students felt trusted, which in turn increased their self-confidence. The students’ critical thinking and clinical judgment increased as a result of their constant interactions and conversations with their CIs.

This pilot project was evaluated with data from student comments and feedback, student journals, and focus groups held by faculty with CI for the DEU. The evaluation was overwhelmingly positive and a “win-win” for patients, students, staff, and faculty.