College of Nursing faculty Seth Perry and Chris Martin recently received funding from the Daniel F. Breeden Endowed Grant Program. This program provides financial support for instructional projects that enhance teaching and learning. The AUCON project focuses on enhancing the preparation of 5th semester undergraduate nursing students for their clinical preceptorship, specifically in the use of central venous lines (CVLs).
According to Perry, the project addresses the lack of confidence and competence among nursing students in using CVLs during preceptorship. Early restrictions in clinical training environments have limited students' practical experience with CVLs, crucial skills for critical care nursing.
“Due to the risk of infection, dislodgment, etc., undergraduate nursing students are very limited in their opportunities to use them; many of the clinical facilities we to go do not allow nursing students to use CVLs,” said Perry. “CVLs are a key component of critical care nursing, regardless of the demographic the student’s preceptorship is in. CVLs require a fundamental knowledge of anatomy, risk of use of the device, and infection control, topics discussed in lecture but not consistently translated to hands-on learning.”
Perry and Martin aim to expand their existing skills bootcamp project by acquiring two additional central line trainers. This expansion will allow more hands-on practice opportunities for nursing students, thereby improving their competency and confidence.
“To prepare students entering clinical areas using CVLs in a bootcamp setting, new skill trainers are necessary to address nursing student competence and improve patient outcomes,” said Perry. “Skill task trainers are simulated materials and tools commonly used to address psychomotor nursing skills. The new trainers are the same model previously purchased by AUCON and will offer more opportunities for practice based on our large student numbers participating in these bootcamps.”
“What’s great about this funding is its impact on ongoing skills bootcamp projects,” said Martin. “We were limited in our opportunity and capacity for using the current CVL trainers, but the addition of two more trainers will mean that instructors can have more hands-on time with students, making for a more meaningful experience.”
The new skill trainers will be integrated into bootcamp settings led by Perry. The bootcamps will cover different critical care demographic areas such as the emergency department (ED), critical care, neonatal critical care, and pediatric clients. Proper use and maintenance of the trainers will be ensured to maximize learning outcomes.
The project's sustainability is supported by ongoing evaluation and feedback loops, ensuring that adjustments can be made based on student outcomes and evolving educational needs. The effectiveness of the trainers and the bootcamp will be evaluated using a structured survey. This survey will quantitatively and qualitatively assess various aspects of central line usage, including lab draws, medication administration, and dressing changes. Surveys will be distributed before and after their preceptorship to gauge the impact of the trainers on their real-world practice.
“The ultimate goal is to increase student confidence and competence in central line usage before they enter their preceptorship. This preparation is crucial for improving patient outcomes and ensuring that students are well-prepared for the demands of clinical practice,” added Perry.
The Daniel F. Breeden Endowed Grant Program supports a critical initiative to enhance nursing education at Auburn University by addressing a specific skills gap and preparing students more effectively for their clinical roles.
