Moving towards Preceptorship Model and Blended Learning Methodologies in Baccalaureate Nursing Education in Pakistan

Abstract

Clinical practice is the backbone of every nursing curriculum in which students experience application of theoretical concepts in the field sites to prepare them for their role and responsibilities in the community. In Pakistan, the preceptor-ship model will be applied for the first time for a course entitled “Advanced Concept of Community Health Nursing in the undergraduate Post RN BScN program (ACCHN)”.Using a blended learning format this course used clinical placements both in Karachi and Hyderabad. The course had a blend of face to face and online components including: online modules, moderated discussion forums and activities, selfassessment quizzes, and podcasts. An exploratory qualitative study design was utilized by focus group discussions to appraise the effectiveness of the trio model used in this course by students, faculty as well as the preceptors, and to measure the outcome of the blended learning methodology. The key findings included preceptors where instrumental in facilitating clinical practicums and the move towards blended learning methodology was seen as an innovative teaching pedagogy by the faculty with the potential to improve learning. Students reported that utilization of preceptors allowed for deeper learning and preceptors should be allowed to grade a portion of the student assessment.