The Implementation and Evaluation of an Innovative Clinical Immersion Experience for Undergraduate Nursing Students

Abstract

The demand for clinical placement sites for nursing students requires the development of alternative clinical settings. This study aimed to evaluate an innovative learning experience for nursing students at the World Scout Jamboree. Nineteen students and four faculty were assigned to base camp medical facilities, providing care for more than 45,000 campers. Student pre- and posttests reported significant increases in cultural awareness, communication skills, and clinical problem-solving ability; students rated interprofessional teamwork highly. Findings reveal promising direction for use of alternative clinical sites to fill the gap in clinical placements while offering unique learning experiences.