Frameworks in Bridging the Gap between Nurses’ Training and Clinical Practice

Introduction

A theory is a set of related concepts or variables that are organised into hypotheses to define the association between the constructs (Connelly, 2014). Frameworks define the type of connection between variables for better comprehension of the problem and concepts as illustrative statements depicting a situation. Theoretical and conceptual frameworks can be used to direct a study or can be recognised as outcomes. The role of these frameworks is to make the discoveries in research relevant and acceptable. Connecting findings into a well-organised structure makes them meaningful and easily accessible to others (Green, 2014).

One of the theories cited in this research is that minimum access to practical skills during the training process affects the abilities of new nurse graduates to care appropriately for the patients. Also, inefficiencies in the clinical practice negatively affect the patient safety. The common theme in these theories is that nurses’ efficiency directly affects the patients’ safety. Face-to-face students has a higher chance of acquiring practical skills than long-distance students (Ballman, 2016). Secondly, patients educated appropriately on self-management skills and prescription medications have a lesser chance of readmission compared to inappropriately educated patients (Waszak, 2018). Finally, students who participate in EPAs have a better chance of delivering high-quality care than those without this clinical experience (Wagner, 2018).

Below is a conceptual map of how the relationship between training and clinical practice affects patient outcomes. The quality of training and clinical practice affects the safety of the patient.

STUDENT

Training:

1. Face-to-face students – use of SPs – practical skills

2. Long-distance students – development of ICSs (+EPAs) – practical skills. Limited access to practical skills – poor treatment quality – readmission.

NURSE

Clinical practice: non-educated patient – readmission; educated patient – successful treatment.