Keywords

advanced practice nursing, clinical competency, clinical practicum, graduate nursing education, nurse practitioner program

 

Authors

  1. Fulton, Cathy R. DNP, RN, ANP-BC, FNP, BC
  2. Clark, Carol DNP, RN, FNP-BC
  3. Dickinson, Stephanie MStat

Abstract

An assumption in nursing education is that clinical experience equals competent practice. Knowing the extent of learning acquired during these experiences is important, and in graduate education, this is not always known. This study examined the nature of clinical hours that nurse practitioner students complete during practicum courses and explored activities of students when not engaged in direct patient care.