Abstract

The objective of this research is to develop technology-based clinical practice opportunities for junior level nursing students enrolled in a family-child course. Clinical experiences for nursing students not only supplement the didactic portion of their education but also serve as an essential gateway into the profession. Clinical experiences designed using technological resources offer a supportive environment for undergraduate nursing students. In this study, three pediatric-related respiratory disease scenarios were developed to resemble actual clinical practice as closely as possible by simulating experiences with patients. Through videos, computer, and related technologies, these clinical case scenarios provide student nurses clinical experiences when there are few, if any, pediatric patients available. The scenarios enable students to learn, integrate, and apply clinical knowledge. The scenarios provide models of professional thinking, maintain consistency in student assignments, foster nursing practice geared towards the pediatric population, and serve as a template for other technology-based clinical case scenarios.