Innovative Solutions for Clinical Education during a Global Health Crisis

Abstract

Lack of clinical experience availability has been a longstanding concern for academic programs in nursing. The continued decrease in clinical group size and the number of students that an organization will allow for clinical experiences has been a growing issue that requires innovation to create alternative clinical experiences to meet program, student, and governing agency requirements. When the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, or COVID-19, emerged in early 2020, resulting in a global pandemic, the impact included nursing education. Students were no longer allowed in clinical facilities due to attempts to contain the virus and lack of personal protective equipment. Many programs were underprepared and had to quickly adjust to meet clinical requirements for students to complete courses. This article discusses several impacts in the context of policymakers, regulators, and nursing practice, with specific examples from policy changes that occurred in the state of Arizona. We describe the nursing program response to pandemic challenges with examples of innovative solutions in practice and policy that informed the rapid shift to nontraditional student experiences.