Clinical Scholar Model as a Sustainable Solution for Nursing Education and Workforce Development
By Isabella Leonardo and Elizabeth Speakman
Introduction
Nursing education faces dual crises : a shortage of nurses and an equally critical shortage of nurse educators . With demand for registered nurses projected to grow by 20 % and faculty shortages nearing 9 %, innovative approaches are essential to ensure the pipeline of competent , practice-ready graduates ( Cherry , 2024 ). The Clinical Scholar Model , developed through a collaboration between the University of Delaware School of Nursing ( UDSON ) and Bayhealth Health Systems , offers a solution . This model integrates academic and clinical partnerships , focusing on immersive training , mentorship , and retention strategies . This article explores the model ’ s structure , outcomes , and potential for adaptation across schools and healthcare systems .
Conceptual Framework
The Clinical Scholar Model draws on Kolb ’ s Experiential Learning Theory , which posits that skills are best developed through handson , contextualized experiences . In this model , students transition
seamlessly from academia to professional practice through immersive , year-long clinical placements at a single site . This contrasts with the traditional multi-site rotation model , which may limit continuity and depth of learning .
The Inspiration Model
The Scholar Model draws inspiration from the Colorado Clinical Model , established in 2004 , which emphasizes structured academic-clinical partnerships to bolster nursing education and practice readiness . Preliminary results indicate that participants in the Scholar Model demonstrate higher levels of confidence , clinical judgment , and resilience compared to peers in traditional multi-site clinical rotations ( Kowalski , K ., et al ., 2011 ). The immersive experience enables students to develop familiarity with the institution ’ s practices and workflows , enhancing their readiness to transition into full-time roles . Feedback from stakeholders and preceptors highlights the benefits of sustained mentorship and a consistent clinical environment , which appear to reduce initial anxiety and to support professional identity formation .
Additionally , the immersive clinical model fosters stronger clinical reasoning skills as students engage deeply with patient cases over an extended period . The focused mentorship component further reinforces skill acquisition , providing personalized guidance and support as students navigate complex clinical situations . This approach also aligns with evidence from previous studies indicating that consistent exposure to a single clinical site can enhance learning outcomes , particularly in areas such as critical thinking and clinical decision-making .
Structure of the UDSON-BayHealth Scholar Model
The Clinical Scholar Model operates through a tiered system that tracks students ’ progression from senior year to experienced practitioners and educators .
1 . TIER 1
Student Scholars
n Senior nursing students are selected for immersive clinical experiences at Bayhealth .
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