A collaborative model for the clinical education of baccalaureate nursing students

Quality clinical supervision is fundamental for the consolidation of knowledge and the development of a professional identity for baccalaureate nursing students. Problems in providing high-quality clinical supervision range from a lack of practitioner role models to inadequate or unsupportive learning environments. Collaboration between the education and service sectors allows for the development of enriched clinical learning experiences for students. This paper describes an innovative collaborative educational process developed by McMaster University School of Nursing and the Nursing and Education Departments at Hamilton Psychiatric Hospital, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. Front-line nursing staff are the clinical supervisors, with support from clinical nurse specialists, the hospital educator and the university faculty member. When compared to more traditional approaches, this model ensures that the students receive more variety in placements and access to expert human resources.