University affiliation committee: Rotating community health nursing students through Los Angeles County - Department of Public Health

In 2002, it became evident to Los Angeles County – Department of Public Health (LAC-DPH) Nursing that nursing students were not being afforded all of the educational experiences that LAC public health nurses (phns) had to offer. After critical analysis, the issue of the students not being invited to the table as part of the public health team became apparent. It was at that time, the University Affiliation Committee (UA) was organized to create a structured clinical rotation for the Universities that affiliate with LAC. During the original discussions the committee had two primary goals: to create a self learning module for the preceptors that would enhance their skills and knowledge as preceptors and to organize an orientation for students that would introduce them to a different type of nursing – the specialty of Public Health Nursing (PHN).

After eighteen months, the UA committee's goals and objectives evolved to include both graduate and undergraduate experiences, which also invite nursing student to the table with the public health team. Currently, the committee has several tools in place to facilitate the experiences of both the preceptor and preceptee. The tools include, but are not limited to a guide for preceptors and student liaisons; a formal and comprehensive orientation for the students held prior to every rotation; quarterly faculty and university administrator meetings to discuss the needs of the universities and the needs of the department; several visual aids used to assist students with completing the overwhelming amount of paperwork; transitioning experiences that rotate students through both generalist and categorical settings; and an interviewing process for graduate students allowing him/her the opportunity to be assigned to a program with objectives that are congruent with his/her objectives. Popularity of the UA program is rapidly spreading and the program overview and tools are being requested by other public health agencies.

The program is evaluated after every student clinical experience and results are shared with all public health nursing staff involved. Results of the anonymous evaluations are used to make adjustments for subsequent academic years. Evaluations have become increasingly positive over the years as adjustments have been made.