Hello Pilot Nurses!
I hope you are all well and continue to take good care of yourselves and one another. I’m writing today to share some news about the current status of Synthesis clinical placements. As you’ve likely heard, some of your classmates are experiencing ongoing impacts with a lack of placements. I’d like to take this opportunity to explain via SBAR:
Situation: There are very limited opportunities for all schools of nursing across the entire state (and western region) to identify preceptors for senior-synthesis nursing students. As of June 11, all of the UP SON senior synthesis students were successfully placed in clinical sites. However, on June 17, several departments were not able to secure preceptors and made the final determination that they will not, after all, be able to take students on these units. Therefore, a small number of students have had their off-campus clinical experience retracted. Preceptors are still being identified for the second senior synthesis rotation, and there is a likelihood that a few more students may be impacted.
Background: The pandemic has caused extreme compassion fatigue, trauma, and exhaustion in the nursing workforce. While COVID-19 cases have plummeted since the height of the pandemic, the devastating impact on the nursing profession continues. In our state and nationally, nurses over 55 years of age are retiring at (yes, I’m going to use the word) unprecedented rates. This is leaving a much smaller pool of experienced nurses to serve as preceptors. Additionally, most major health systems canceled or delayed last year’s new graduate residency programs. Therefore, the increase in retirements and in influx of the backlog of last-year’s new graduates is placing an incredible demand on the remaining experienced nurses to precept those in the new grad residencies. The lead faculty and Center for Clinical Excellence continue to explore every single opportunity to provide an in-person opportunity for clinical learning for your class, but they are simply running out of options.
Assessment: The majority of the students in your class have attained clinical placements for Senior Synthesis. The Oregon State Board of Nursing has waived all clinical hour requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic, as long as schools are able to evaluate competency attainment in the nursing program. Every health system is aware of the impact on all new nursing graduates regarding the lack of off-campus clinical experience. In fact, many new graduates have absolutely NO off-campus experience in their entire nursing education. Health systems have adapted their residency programs to support new graduates and ensure that any gaps in clinical reasoning or skills is evaluated and developed during the residency or onboarding process.
Recommendation: Our confidence in the outcomes of this curriculum has not waivered. The administration, faculty and staff fully believe that you have gained the skills and knowledge to become exceptional nurses. While you may not all be able to complete an off-campus synthesis clinical, you will have what you need to meet degree requirements, graduate, and attain eligibility for the NCLEX. Those who are unable to attain an off-campus clinical experience will be offered alternative learning activities to ensure they are able to meet the program outcomes. While this is not ideal, it is an opportunity that we are able to offer where most other nursing programs are not. We are asking for your continued patience and understanding as our team does everything within our power to provide off-campus clinical for as many students as possible.
Please plan to attend the Oregon Center for Nursing virtual state-wide town hall this Wednesday at 4:30pm.
Please join us on Wednesday, June 23 at 4:30p for a Nursing Student Town Hall. Representatives from nursing education, health care, and the Oregon State Board of Nursing will discuss and answer questions about clinical placements and transition into practice for nursing graduates. We will record the discussion for those unable to attend live. This is being provided for all nursing students to gain a better understanding of the issue and how this will impact your entry into the nursing profession.
We will continue to maintain close communication with those impacted by this situation. Know that we are advocating for you, for the profession, and ultimately for the patients you will serve in your career as nurses.
Dean Shillam
Casey R. Shillam, PhD, RN (she/her/hers)
Dean and Professor, University of Portland School of Nursing, MSC 153