Innovative Approach to Senior Practicum Students.

Background: Traditional senior practicum experiences (SPEs) are microsystem based-they allow senior nursing students the opportunity to build professional nursing competencies as they transition into practice. As health care transformation continues unabated, there is a need to work toward closing the gap between nursing academia and nursing practice.

Method: A cardiovascular service line created an innovative SPE to better prepare senior nursing students for working as professional nurses in a service line model.