Supporting Practice-based Learning: A project to evaluate the development of a clinical learning support system for student nurses

The learning that takes place in practice settings has been acknowledged as being a critical part of nursing education (UKCC 2000). The search for effective means of ensuring the quality of such learning has been a continuing challenge (QAA 2000; NES 2003). In the nursing programme at a School of Nursing and Midwifery at one Scottish university, there was evidence of dissatisfaction with the system in place to support students’ learning during practice placements. At the same time, the Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) was part-funding additional learning support personnel. The School was keen to develop a more effective support system and to make best use of the additional resource being provided by the SEHD.