The Current State and Future Directions of Clinical Practicum for Adult Health Nursing at Four-year Nursing Colleges in Korea

4년제 간호대학 성인간호학 실습교육의 현황과 발전방향

Objective: The study was conducted by the Association of Korean College of Nursing in order to survey and analyze the current state of clinical practicum for adult health nursing at four-year nursing college in Korea and to suggest improvements in the contents and methods of clinical practicum and its future direction. Method: Data were collected using a survey by mail from July to November 2004 using a structured questionnaire on the general state of clinical practicum for adult health nursing. The questionnaires were sent to 53 nursing colleges throughout the country, and 47 recovered questionnaires were analyzed. Results: The number of credits for adult health nursing practicum was 7~10(average range), and various nursing fields were used in clinical practicum. The number of students per team was 5~6 at general wards and 3~4 at intensive care units. Students also experienced practicum during daytime and in the evening. Clinical practicum for adult health nursing was led by full-time professors and field practicum directors. In clinical practicum for adult health nursing, almost every college evaluated students' attitude, skills, leadership, etc. in various forms. Conclusions: It is urgent to develope a standardized evaluation tool for clinical practicum.