New study examines clinical hours in nursing education

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to lead a multi-institution study of clinical experience requirements for nursing school graduates.

Research will involve more than 1,700 students over 30 months. In the end, the results will lead to a better understanding of the amount and nature of clinical experiences needed to have competency at graduation.

Partners in the program include Tarleton State University, El Centro College, Brookhaven College, the Dallas-Fort Worth Hospital Council Foundation, and six North Texas health care systems.

Currently, there is no state requirement addressing clinical experiences for nursing students.

“With this information, it will be possible to identify an optimal range of clinical hours resulting in more efficient and effective nursing education,” says Beth Mancini, associate dean for undergraduate studies and a lead investigator on the grant.