Although applications to nursing schools far exceed the capacity of students that can be accepted, the specialty of psychiatric nursing remains an area in which there are critical shortages. The literature suggests that part of the problem in attracting nursing students to the specialty may be in how it is taught. The Pathways Project worked with both Coleman College nursing faculty and psychiatric hospital nursing administrators to design a psychiatric nursing clinical rotation model that approaches the experience from the journey taken by a mental health patient. Using a 2-1 student/preceptor ratio, students in the Pathways rotation move from placement in the emergency psychiatric center to inpatient hospital care ending in community-based outpatient clinics and outreach teams. Each facility partner in the three components designed their portion of the rotation to include experiences and qualities that were unique to their setting and caregiving.
The initial Pathways rotation was offered to Coleman College Associate Degree nursing students in the summer of 2010. Prairie View A&M Bachelor’s students were able to participate in the spring of 2011. Both continuation and expansion of the model to other nursing schools are anticipated. Careful evaluation of the student’s experiences, reactions, and ultimate nursing specialization choices is being conducted.
