Hybrid Education in Remote Nursing Placements in Australia: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Background: Rural and remote areas offer unique opportunities for undergraduate nurses. Extended placements boost work readiness, improve assessment skills, and increase likelihood of practicing in these areas post-registration. However, hybrid delivery of curriculum content in not well understood. Undergraduate Extended Nurse Placement Program (ENPP) and on campus students, and academics were recruited from a major tertiary institution to understand impact of hybrid delivery for nursing curriculum.

Method: Data were obtained from descriptive qualitative design and focus group interviews. A process of thematic analysis generated themes and findings.

Results: There were 12 participants: academics ( = 4), ENPP students ( = 7), and 1 on campus student. The main theme was "Bridging the Hybrid Gap," with two sub-themes: (1) separation, describes ENPP students emotional, experiential, and academic disconnect from on-campus students; and (2) adaptation, describes strategies used to adjust to hybrid learning.

Conclusion: Technology has evolved and presents opportunities for nursing education. We must continue to enhance education design in the nursing curriculum context. .