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January 31, 2023

College of Nursing Holds Year’s First Clinical Immersion

University of Arizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice students deliver a manikin baby during a clinical immersion session.
(From left) Erin McMahon, EdD, CNM, FACNM, nurse-midwifery specialty coordinator, is handed a newborn baby manikin for skin-to-skin contact by nurse-midwifery students Julia Chan and Annie Giang. Dr. McMahon was wearing a birth simulator and Giang was “catching” the birth while Chan assisted.

The University of Arizona College of Nursing held the first of three yearly clinical immersion sessions for its Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) students in early January. About 120 students from all DNP specialties participated in the immersion over five days. Many of the hands-on skill focused sessions were held at the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center (ASTEC) and with standardized patients in the Objective Structured Clinical Examination center.

Clinical immersions are designed to help DNP students develop specialty-specific clinical skills. College of Nursing faculty from all DNP specialties support the workshops, which are designed to develop essential clinical skill competencies. “Upon completion of the clinical immersions students are prepared to continue to enhance clinical skills under the supervision of preceptors in clinical environments,” said Hyewon Shin, DNP program coordinator.

“Clinical immersions are critical to the program success,” said Erin McMahon, EdD, CNM, FACNM, director of the nurse-midwifery program for UArizona Health Sciences and specialty coordinator for the College of Nursing. “Students come to campus and are able to develop skills and professional communication that they can bring to the clinical setting. The use of simulation allows us to send a stronger student out to our preceptors and clinical settings.”   

DNP nurse-midwifery student Annie Giang, RN, said the experience was helpful in preparing her for upcoming clinical rotations. “Having the simulations in ASTEC really helped me engage in my learning. I thought it was very helpful to have standardized patients to simulate a patient visit in the office. I am looking forward to the next clinical immersion,” Giang said.

University of Arizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice students practice a spinal block on a manikin during a clinical immersion session.
UArizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice students try their skills at wound suturing during the first clinical immersion of the year.
UArizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice student interviews a pregnant patient during a clinical immersion session.
UArizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice nurse-midwifery student learns how to guide a baby out of the birth canal.
Nurse Anesthesiology Doctor of Nursing Practice students practice intubation technique during a UArizona College of Nursing clinical immersion session.
Nurse Anesthesiology Doctor of Nursing Practice students practice a simulated ultrasound guided central venous access placement during the UArizona College of Nursing clinical immersion.
A UArizona Colllege of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice student interviews a standardized patient during a clinical immersion session.
A Doctor of Nursing Practice nurse-midwifery student watches as an instructor demonstrates fundal massage on a manikin for during a clinical immersion session.
A UArizona Colllege of Nursing professor reviews the anatomage table with a simulation educator.
The director of the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center, demonstrates a field dressing for Doctor of Nursing Practice students.
UArizona Doctor of Nursing Practice students take part in a clinical immersion session at the Arizona Simulation Technology and Education Center.
UArizona College of Nursing professor demonstrates suturing techniques for Doctor of Nursing Practice in nurse-midwifery students.
A patient answers questions from UArizona Doctor of Nursing Practice students during a clinical immersion session.
A UArizona College of Nursing Doctor of Nursing Practice student in the nursing anesthesiology specialty practices an ultrasound guided procedure while supervised by her professor
UArizona College of Nursing professor reviews the instruments needed for a spinal tap with Doctor of Nursing Practice students during a clinical immersion session.
A UArizona College of Nursing professor explains the position of the uterus in the pelvis with a Doctor of Nursing Practice – Nurse-Midwifery student.
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