Evaluations of clinical learning in a managed care environment.

Topic: Clinical learning in a managed-care environment.

Purpose: To obtain evaluative data about clinical learning experiences for graduate nursing students based on the domains of competence for successful practice in managed-care organizations.

Methods: A survey of 42 nurses (20 graduate students, 22 nurse practitioner preceptors) self-reported on two questionnaires.

Findings: Both the students and preceptors reported that there were learning opportunities for research utilization, the development of clinical competence, the identification of group dynamics, the development of leadership skills. In addition, the respondents reported learning opportunities to examine the financial impact on healthcare delivery and clinician decision making. The area of ethics and its impact on clinical decision making is an apparent void, as reported by the respondents.

Conclusions: A managed care environment does provide an effective learning environment for nurse practitioner students.