An alternative placement model for nursing students: discovering new horizons.

Abstract

This paper will explore the use of an alternative placement model and establish how it can be used in conjunction with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) standards for education and training (2018). Traditionally in nurse education, students were supported on a one to one basis by a qualified nurse mentor in placement. This could be a very intense relationship and could limit placement learning as students were only allocated to areas that have a qualified nurse mentor, exacerbating competing demands on placement capacity to support students. A Higher Education Institute (HEI) trialled an alternative placement model that utilised several healthcare related services traditionally not used for nursing placements. Some of these placements were allocated by the HEI, however students were also responsible for securing a number for themselves. The students were supported with their learning by appropriate healthcare staff in practice but were assessed by academic members of staff at the HEI acting as practice assessors. The project was evaluated positively overall by both students and staff. Students found it to be an empowering experience, which encouraged autonomous practice.