Introduction

When is the best time to schedule clinical experiences for RN students in a nursing home?

To introduce you to this topic, Christine Mueller, PhD, RN, FAAN, provides her perspective in this 2-minute audio clip. Click the play button to listen.

Christine Mueller, PhD, RN, FAAN Dr. Christine Mueller, Chair,
Adult and Gerontological Health Co-operative Unit at the University of Minnesota, School of Nursing
Transcript

There have been differences of opinion about when nursing homes should be used as clinical settings for students. Many schools use the nursing home for students’ first clinical experience. Others contend that because nursing home residents have multiple and complex chronic clinical, functional, and cognitive needs, it is not an appropriate place for beginning level students who have limited knowledge to have their first experience in nursing homes. Rather, the nursing home should be used for student learning toward the end of the curriculum with a focus on geriatric nursing and/or leadership.

So, when is the best time for students to have a clinical experience in a nursing home setting? This module answers that question by investigating the benefits, drawbacks, and learning experiences associated with the nursing home setting at different times during the curriculum. You might be surprised at the answer!

http://nursing-media.ahc.umn.edu/geriatrics-site/resources/best-way/introduction.php