Evaluating the Implementation of an Online Clinical Log System for Family Nurse Practitioner Students

Abstract

This pilot study analyzed the adoption of the Nurse Practitioner Student Tracking (NPST) system by a public university's family nurse practitioner graduate program. Using the diffusion-of-innovations research framework, the ease of transition, acceptance, and perceived advantage of the system were studied in a unique group of students (n = 9) and faculty members (n = 6). The study results pointed to a more rapid progression through the stages of technological adoption for students than for faculty members, a more pronounced acceptance of the database by students than by faculty, a higher learning curve for faculty than for students, and improved efficiency in clinical logging for students. The NPST system served to begin addressing identified issues within the program. Half (n = 3) of the faculty thought that the NPST system assisted them in ensuring student competencies were met. The system also helped them analyze how time was spent in clinical practice, identify how much time was spent conferring with preceptor in clinical practice, helped students improve the quality of their charting practices, and eliminated the concern of dishonest duplication of records. In addition, 80% of faculty stated the NPST system helped them see how much time was spent with each patient in clinical practice.