P135
T2PAC – evaluation of undergraduate transition to practice clinical
placements in aged care.
Neville S1, Rosenberg J1, Harold M1, Traynor V1,2
1University Of The Sunshine Coast, 2Warrigal
Aim:
To evaluate a Transition to Practice – Aged Care (T2PAC) clinical placement program, designed to
enable third-year undergraduate nursing students’ transition to practice as registered nurses in aged
care. It explores students’ perceived readiness for practice and considers benefits and challenges for
university and industry partners.
Methods:
Three learning strategies were evaluated: 1) preceptorship by registered nurses; 2) seminars on
complex aged care topics delivered by health professionals to students and aged care staff; 3)
student-led case study presentations to peers, clinicians and academic staff. Data consisted of
qualitative interviews with students and industry partners and seminar and case study feedback
surveys.
Results:
In this evaluation, 32 students were involved in the T2PAC program across three aged care services.
Thirty students (94%) completed their placement, and 25 of these (83%), along with nine industry
partners participated in the qualitative interviews. Eighty-nine seminar/case study feedback surveys
were returned. The complexity of clinical nursing practice in aged care settings was consistently
reported. Students identified increased confidence, knowledge, and skills from participating in the
program. Industry partners viewed completing students as workforce ready. Preceptors supported
the application of new knowledge to practice settings. In Stage 1, it was challenging to consistently
allocate preceptors; students reported a range of preparedness of their preceptors. Seminars
enabled continuation of learning from the academic program to the practice setting, including new
knowledge gained as part of their clinical experience. Student-led case studies further enabled the
application of gerontological knowledge to practice.
Conclusion:
The T2PAC program supports the transition of undergraduate students into aged care, improves self-
perceived readiness and enables collaboration between university and industry partners. This
gerontological specialist clinical experience continues to be sought after by students through
expressions of interest and the program was extended to additional aged care industry partners in
the region.
Keywords:
gerontological nursing; undergraduate; aged care; clinical placements.