The University of Massachusetts Amherst Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN) program provides students with a comprehensive and immersive clinical experience, designed to prepare them for the demands of a nursing career. The program's clinical rotations are carefully structured to ensure that students gain hands-on experience in a variety of healthcare settings, working with diverse patient populations and developing essential nursing skills.
Clinical Experience Overview
The ABSN program at UMass Amherst includes over 700 hours of clinical experience, which is integrated throughout the 12-month curriculum. Students participate in clinical rotations in a range of settings, including hospitals, community health organizations, and long-term care facilities. The clinical experience is designed to provide students with opportunities to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, and cultivate the skills and competencies necessary for professional nursing practice.
Clinical Rotation Settings
UMass Amherst ABSN students participate in clinical rotations in a variety of settings, including:
- Acute care hospitals, such as Baystate Medical Center and Cooley Dickinson Hospital
- Community health organizations, such as the Amherst Community Health Center and the Holyoke Health Center
- Long-term care facilities, such as nursing homes and rehabilitation centers
- Pediatric and maternal-child health settings, such as the Baystate Children’s Hospital and the UMass Amherst Health Services
- Mental health settings, such as the Providence Behavioral Health Hospital and the UMass Amherst Counseling and Mental Health Services
These clinical rotation settings provide students with opportunities to work with diverse patient populations, including adults, children, and families, and to develop skills in areas such as medical-surgical nursing, pediatric nursing, and mental health nursing.
Clinical Experience Focus Areas
The ABSN program at UMass Amherst focuses on several key areas, including:
- Health promotion and disease prevention: Students learn to assess patient health and develop strategies to promote healthy lifestyles and prevent disease.
- Health assessment and diagnosis: Students develop skills in conducting comprehensive health assessments and diagnosing patient conditions.
- Nursing interventions and care planning: Students learn to develop and implement care plans, including medication management, wound care, and other nursing interventions.
- Communication and collaboration: Students develop skills in communicating effectively with patients, families, and healthcare teams, and learn to collaborate with other healthcare professionals to provide high-quality patient care.
These focus areas are integrated throughout the clinical experience, providing students with a comprehensive foundation in nursing practice.
| Clinical Rotation | Setting | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Medical-Surgical Nursing | Acute care hospital | 120 hours |
| Pediatric Nursing | Pediatric hospital or clinic | 100 hours |
| Mental Health Nursing | Mental health hospital or clinic | 80 hours |
| Community Health Nursing | Community health organization | 120 hours |
Simulation-Based Education
In addition to clinical rotations, the ABSN program at UMass Amherst incorporates simulation-based education, which provides students with opportunities to practice nursing skills in a safe and controlled environment. The simulation lab is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including high-fidelity patient simulators and virtual reality simulation equipment. Students participate in simulated clinical scenarios, which are designed to mimic real-world patient care situations, and receive feedback from faculty and peers on their performance.
Benefits of the Clinical Experience
The clinical experience provided by the ABSN program at UMass Amherst offers numerous benefits to students, including:
- Hands-on experience: Students gain practical experience in a variety of healthcare settings, working with diverse patient populations and developing essential nursing skills.
- Development of critical thinking and problem-solving skills: Students learn to think critically and solve problems in real-world patient care situations.
- Cultivation of professional nursing skills: Students develop the skills and competencies necessary for professional nursing practice, including communication, collaboration, and leadership.
- Preparation for the NCLEX-RN exam: The clinical experience helps prepare students for the National Council Licensure Examination (NCLEX-RN) and a successful nursing career.
What types of clinical settings do ABSN students participate in?
+ABSN students at UMass Amherst participate in clinical rotations in a variety of settings, including acute care hospitals, community health organizations, long-term care facilities, pediatric and maternal-child health settings, and mental health settings.
How many hours of clinical experience do ABSN students receive?
+ABSN students at UMass Amherst receive over 700 hours of clinical experience, which is integrated throughout the 12-month curriculum.
What is the focus of the clinical experience in the ABSN program?
+The clinical experience in the ABSN program at UMass Amherst focuses on several key areas, including health promotion and disease prevention, health assessment and diagnosis, nursing interventions and care planning, and communication and collaboration.
