An Innovative Academic Practice Model for Clinical Nursing Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

In March of 2020, Columbia University School of Nursing (CUSON) Masters Direct Entry (MDE) program and New York Presbyterian Hospital (NYPH) created an innovative academic partnership to address the clinical needs of students and to help alleviate the burden of surging COVID-19 cases on nurses and the health care system. Through this partnership, students were hired as nurse technicians to assist with patient care during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result of this enhanced relationship, a pipeline of well-qualified graduate nurses with unique skills to adapt to a rapidly changing practice environment was created. Student participants in this opportunity developed an understanding of the organizational and leadership structures of the health care institution. The understanding of organizational and leadership structures will help transform the delivery of care.

Transforming nursing curricula for a global community.

With nurses and midwives providing the majority of health care globally, nursing education in all countries must prepare students for broader responsibilities to move the agenda forward for equitable care and universal health coverage. Columbia University School of Nursing developed and implemented a vibrant approach to curriculum transformation that included a new didactic course followed by a program of global clinical experiences to expand students' learning environments in global health. Program planning included defining learning objectives, mobilizing support within the school, establishing new sites, recruiting and preparing students, overseeing of students with host institutions, and evaluating the program. A total of twenty-four students were placed over five sites for a six-week credit-bearing global clinical experience. Students had varied clinical experiences with new understandings of the reality of health disparities. Host sites expressed a commitment to have students return in the next year, and all students stated that they would chose a global experience again. This innovation provides a transformative addition to nursing education with a deepened understanding of health disparities and nursing roles in different health systems. It strengthens the school's network of nursing and midwifery educators and opens doors for new exchanges.