Authors: MADELYN R. CAREY.
Background: University Mobile Units can provide opportunities for focused nursing practicum time, building student confidence, increasing communication skills, and making it more likely they will implement collaborative team measures to promote patient care.
Method: The study presented is a cross-sectional descriptive study administering an adapted validated survey designed on Bachelors of Nursing (BSN) students to assess interpersonal communication skills and explore overall confidence levels in communication concepts.
Results: A maximum score of 80 would indicate total confidence in all skill areas assessed by the survey. As seen in Table 1, the mean score for first year students was 64.71 (80%), and the mean score for second year students was 59.30 (74%).
Conclusion: The clinical setting of the BSN program allows students to develop practical skills with members of other disciplines as well as with their patients. Early clinical practicum can be utilized as an opportunity for focused education on communication as a basis of care.
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