Five Things Today’s Nursing Students Will Likely Never Experience

Five Things Today’s Nursing Students Will Likely Never Experience

Nursing education and clinical practice have evolved significantly since the era of Florence Nightingale. With continuous advancements in healthcare and technology, nursing today is vastly different from just a few years ago. Consequently, many practices that were once considered commonplace have now become historical for nursing students. Here are a few instances:

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1. Wearing nursing whites and a nursing cap.

While wearing a nursing cap, or “flossie” as they were once called, for ceremonial occasions like capping and graduation might be enjoyable, imagine wearing it every day as a practicing nurse. Nursing is physically demanding, and those caps probably ended up on the floor frequently. The traditional white uniform has given way to comfortable scrubs in colors that are more practical than pure white. For female nurses, wearing pants offers greater physical flexibility and reduces the risk of wardrobe mishaps.

2. Relying solely on paper charts and records.

Though some facilities still employ paper for certain tasks, most have transitioned to electronic health records (EHRs). Going digital has streamlined access to medical records, making it easier to chart patient care on computers and mobile devices. What once required sifting through paper charts is now achievable with a few clicks. EHRs have become integral to nursing education through programs like SimChart®, offering practical experience in electronic charting.

3. Limited exposure to specific conditions in clinicals.

Traditional hospital-based clinical experiences offered limited exposure based on the day’s floor activities. However, modern students benefit from state-of-the-art simulations that provide hands-on practice across an array of scenarios – from basic procedures and emergencies to rare and complex conditions. This equips students with the necessary skills for safe and effective nursing care.

4. A one-dimensional learning experience.

Recalling a time before digital technology dominated our lives brings to mind lengthy lectures, monotonous textbook readings, and uninspiring assignments. The landscape has transformed! Emerging learning technologies, like Sherpath and Elsevier Adaptive Quizzing, have revolutionized nursing education into an engaging, interactive, multidimensional, and personalized journey resembling a game.

5. Approaching the NCLEX® exam blindly.

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In the past, nursing students might have reviewed notes and textbooks to prepare for the NCLEX exam, and perhaps taken pencil-and-paper practice tests. They had no certainty about their readiness until receiving their results. Today’s students can approach the NCLEX exam confidently, thanks to standardized testing resources like HESI. With accurate and reliable exams, personalized remediation, and comprehensive reporting, HESI predicts NCLEX-RN exam pass rates with an accuracy rate of up to 98.26%.