Getting Clinical Experience as an Online Nursing Student
Clinical experience is crucial for nursing students, helping them develop practical skills and reinforce their knowledge. However, arranging clinical experiences for online nursing students can be more challenging. Some programs adapted during the COVID-19 pandemic, offering virtual clinical experiences. Data shows differences in evaluating competencies between online and in-person clinical experiences. While virtual clinical simulations became more common during the pandemic, their impact on patient care is a concern.
Our nursing experts discuss the pros and cons of arranging online nursing clinical hours for students and provide tips on finding clinical placements.
Struggling to meet your deadline?
Get your assignment on Getting Clinical Experience as an Online Nursing Student done by certified MDs and PhDs in the USA. ORDER NOW!
How Clinicals Work for Online Nursing Students?
Clinical experiences, as defined by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education (CCNE), are planned learning activities that help students understand, practice, and improve their professional skills.
Private vs. Federal Loans: Which is Better for Nursing Students?
These experiences give nursing students the chance to apply what they’ve learned in their undergraduate or graduate programs. They involve providing patient care while being observed and questioned by instructors or clinical preceptors.
Nursing school clinicals occur at approved hospital facilities or healthcare provider offices. The timing of student nursing clinical hours is coordinated between the nursing program and the clinical site.
Comparing Clinicals for In-Person and Online Nursing Students
There are key similarities in clinical hours for in-person and online nursing schools. Both involve demonstrating patient care and professional skills.
Traditional in-person undergraduate students have their nursing clinical hours arranged by the school.
Traditional graduate students and online students often arrange their own clinical experiences with facilities or healthcare providers.
Some online nursing programs help students find clinical hours. RN and writer Emma Leigh Geiser noted, “Finding preceptors and doing this on your own can be challenging. It’s easier if the school has an established relationship with an institution.”
Sharon Cobb, Ph.D., MSN, PHN, RN, an assistant professor, explained that during the pandemic, some pre-licensure programs used simulation models to meet clinical requirements. The number of hours allowed varies by state.
In other cases, programs offer immersion experiences for non-local students to complete clinical hours quickly.
Clinical immersion helps develop reasoning, management, and evaluation skills. Regardless of the clinical site, students need an agreement with the school, according to Cobb.
She mentioned post-licensure students usually complete all clinical hours through direct patient care. For non-local students, finding established sites can be harder.
The Importance of ABHES and CAAHEP Accreditation in Nursing
Average Required Clinical Hours by Degree Level
BSN programs typically require around 600 nursing clinical hours, though this can vary.
RN-to-BSN programs often need fewer clinical hours, ranging from 50 to 100 hours. Nurses usually work an eight-hour shift.
MSN programs vary widely, needing about 1,000 nursing school clinical hours. These are completed under the guidance of a healthcare provider precepting the student.
400-700 hours
BSN Degree
600-1,300 hours
MSN Degree
How To Find a Clinical Training Site as an Online Nursing Student
Finding a suitable clinical training site during an online nursing program can be challenging.
If your program doesn’t assist with clinical placements, start looking for opportunities in the weeks before the previous semester ends.
This allows enough time to find a site that meets nursing school clinical requirements.
The site must meet program criteria and gain approval for your clinical hours. Follow these tips to find an approved training site:
1. Understand school requirements and time commitment
Each nursing program has specific clinical criteria. To ensure the site meets them, know the criteria and required time commitment for the semester.
2. Be cautious of placement advertising
Some groups charge students to find placements. However, most students can find placements for their nursing clinical hours independently.
3. Contact the institution’s nursing administration
Different institutions handle and approve nursing school clinicals. Contact the nursing administration at the hospital for guidance.
4. Make a good impression
A clinical site is more likely to approve a placement for students who are professional in correspondence and behavior. Professional conduct during clinical hours increases the chance of a recommendation for future placements.
5. Have necessary documentation ready
The nursing program may need specific documentation from your clinical site. The hospital or office might want your resume and recommendation letters. Prepare these documents in advance to avoid last-minute scrambling.
Assessing Clinical Experience in an Online Program
Clinical training assessment methods vary.
“Some schools had instructors and administration overseeing clinicals and skill assessments,” said RN and blogger Emma Leigh Geiser. They had hands-on activities and testing related to clinical training.
Other universities use technology for assessments, with instructors visiting the site less frequently.
“Many programs use application software for documenting/charting on patients and creating care plans (often for pre-licensure students),” explained Sharon Cobb, Ph.D., MSN, PHN, RN, an assistant professor. “Faculty and students evaluate the site and student performance during midterm and finals.”
Top 10 Tips for Studying for the NCLEX
FAQs About Clinicals for Online Nursing Students
Can clinicals be completed online?
Clinical experience is crucial for building clinical reasoning and critical-thinking skills. While some programs offer virtual clinical experiences resembling telemedicine, hands-on clinical hours are a requirement for all nursing students.
What are virtual clinicals?
Virtual clinical simulations allow students to interact digitally with patients in a virtual learning setting. The aim is to simulate real-world engagement for practicing nursing skills like assessment, diagnosis, and interventions.
Do all nursing programs require clinicals?
All accredited nursing programs mandate nursing clinical hours for graduation. Clinical training ensures students acquire practice-focused skills and integrate knowledge into professional practice.
How many hours are needed for clinicals?
Required nursing clinical hours vary by school, state, and program level. For instance, a BSN student might need around 700 clinical hours, while an MSN student might need up to 1,300 hours.
Dont wait until the last minute.
Provide your requirements and let our native nursing writers deliver your assignments ASAP.