Transition to Professional Practice

This clinical course focuses on the transition of senior nursing students to professional nursing practice as new baccalaureate graduates. The course assists students to synthesize knowledge and skills required of new graduates including refinement of clinical judgment, problem-solving, priority-setting, time management, and interdisciplinary collaboration and communication. Under the direction of a nurse preceptor, students are expected to demonstrate increased independence in planning, implementing, and evaluating nursing care for a workload of multiple patients in a selected clinical setting. Students identify and implement strategies for resolving conflicts arising from diversity issues and moral, ethical, and legal dilemmas in their clinical practice. Issues related to professional development including licensure, career strategies, and involvement in professional organizations will be discussed. 5 weeks.