Clinical experience proposed for Ontario nurse graduates The Ontario Hospital Association has proposed that students graduating from two-year nursing programs be required to complete a six-month clinical experience before they are registered by the College of Nurses of Ontario. During the program, nurse graduates would be required to rotate through four clinical areas, including one month in the operating room. The proposal was submitted to the Ontario Minister of Health and Minister of Education and Colleges and Universities. In a letter dated March 14, R Alan Hay, executive director of the Ontario Hospital Association, reported to hospital chief executive officers that the proposal is in response to “long standing concerns expressed by hospitals about the performance of two-year nursing graduates.” The proposal cites studies that indicated nurse graduates need at least six months‘ clinical experience ”to develop skill in implementingthe nursing process with a group of patients.” Thus, the proposal calls for “a carefully structured, educationally sound learning experience in patient care, which will assist the student to gain confidence and competence in the management of clinical responsibilities and to adapt more readily to the reality of the work situation,” Hay explained. Hay was careful to stress that the proposed clinical experience is not an internship program because students would not receive stipends for their services. According to “A draft proposal for six months consolidated clinical experience for student nurses,” developed by Ontario nurse administrators, students would be required to apply to an accredited Ohtario hospital, which has indicated interest in participating in the program. In the hospital, head nurses and team leaders would serve as teachers, similar to their roles with nursing students. The proposal suggests

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that nursing staffs establish “buddy systems,” which would match nurse graduates with “skilled registered nurses.” The following clinical experiences were outlined in the proposal: 0 medical-surgical-three months 0 gerontological-one month operating room-one month 0 electiv-ne month. During each rotation, nurse graduates would work the same hours and schedules as regular nursing staff to gain experience on all tours of duty and days of the week. Evaluations would be done regularly with the student throughout the six-month period. The head nurse would be responsible for the evaluation, based on his or her observations and input from the nursing staff. The proposal has recommended that “performance standards be developed for the various experiences and that a standard approach to evaluation be adopted through the province.” Before the nurse graduates are given registered nurse status, a recommendation from the hospital where they completed their clinical rotation would be necessary. Suggested objectives for each clinical rotation were submitted with the draft proposal. Objectives for clinical experience in the operating room include 0 to acquire knowledge and skill in practical application of aseptic technique 0 to develop empathy and understanding of the impact of surgery on the patient 0 to gain understanding of the discipline of team work 0 to acquire manual dexterity 0 to reinforce knowledge of anatomy and physiology 0 to assist the student toward career selection.

AORN Journal, June 1979,Vol29,No 7