Enhancing clinical judgement and decision-making skills of prelicensure nursing students

Abstract

This article describes an authentic learning activity intended to enhance prelicensure nursing students' clinical judgment and decision-making skills. This activity was designed for fourth year nursing students in a pediatric nursing theory course. Part A of the activity requires students to choose the most appropriate staffing assignment for the unit's staff on an inpatient pediatric unit and provide a rationale for that decision. In part B, students review shift reports, prioritize care based on the provided patient information, and identify appropriate referrals to the interdisciplinary team. This activity is adaptable to various educational healthcare disciplines and can be modified for junior and/or senior learners.