Guiding Clinical Experiences in School Nursing: A Competency-Based Approach for Preceptors and Students

Abstract

The school health office is often used as a clinical site for prelicensure nursing students in their community/public health or pediatrics clinicals. School nurses who serve as preceptors often find themselves unprepared, in part due to curricular changes focusing on competency-based education, which were updated in 2021. This article provides guidance for the practicing school nurse to provide a clinical experience for nursing students that meets the competency-based education requirements of the undergraduate nursing program and aligns with the NASN School Nursing Practice Framework. A brief explanation of competency-based education is discussed. Utilizing the umbrella of the school nursing standards, the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) Essentials, along with the School Nursing Framework, a sample model of activities to meet these competencies is provided to support both the student and the precepting school nurse.

Keywords

school nursing competency-based education practicum population health nursing

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