Preparation of Clinical Rotation Plan

Introduction:Organization of clinical experience in the curriculum done on the basis of the

syllabus and regulations laid down by the statutory bodies like Indian Nursing
Council and Universities. Organization of clinical experience is the responsibility of
the faculty. Clinical experience related to each course should be planned according
to the objectives. Preparing a clinical rotation plan will help in providing clinical
experience to the students in an effective manner.

Definition:Clinical rotation plan is the statement, which explains the order of the clinical
posting of various groups of nursing students belonging to different classes in
relevant clinical areas and community health settings as per the requirements laid
down by the statutory bodies.

Objectives: It will help student to gain maximum experience from clinical area and
community settings.
It will contribute towards the attainment of overall objectives of the nursing
educational programme.

Principles of Developing Clinical Rotation Plan:(1) It must be developed accordance with the master plan of the curriculum.
(2) It must be made in advance with co-operation of all the faculty members
involved in the clinical teaching.
(3) Maxims of teaching should be followed while selected areas of experience.
(4) Principles of continuity, sequence and integration should be followed.
(5) Enough teaching staff should make available in the clinical areas for giving
proper instructions to the students.
(6) Seeking suggestion of nursing staff working in clinical areas will ensure their
co-operation
(7) First year students should receive maximum supervision and attention
1

(8) All the students should get enough experience as per the clinical rotation plan.
(9) All assignments related to clinical area should be finished before the
completion of postings.
(10) Overcrowding in the clinical areas with different group of students is not
advisable.

Factors to be considered in planning clinical rotation plan: Standards, policies, philosophy and objectives of organization.
Curriculum outline
Requirement laid down in syllabus and course
Course objectives
INC guidelines
Nature of clinical facilities available, location of ward.
Teacher student ratio
Permission from authorities and payment of fees
Formal theory classes
Facilities e.g. Transport convenience
Availability of appropriate time to avoid overlapping of students
Clinical instructions and experts in the field availability.
Number of staff nurses employed to provide nursing services in the hospital
Duration of clinical experiences required
Size of ward
Select ward depending on the length of learning experience to be provided
Adhere to rotation plan.

Criteria for organizing clinical experience:There are 4 criteria

-

Continuity

Sequence

Integrity

Co-ordination

Continuity:2

Refers to the vertical organization of major curriculum events.

Sequence:Each successive experience builds upon the proceeding one, but go more
broadly and deeply in the matters involved.
Integration:The courses are going so organized that they reinforce one another and point
toward general objectives. e.g. integration of medical surgical nursing to nutrition
and psychology.
Co-ordination:Between one area to another area theory has to co-ordinate with practical
experience.

Role of the Teacher:During preparation of the clinical rotation plan teacher have the following
roles.
When teachers are posting students they have to see
-

One experience will provide many nursing activities

Different experiences should be provided to reinforce many activities.

No gap or expectation for provision of clinical experiences.

There should be relationship between theory and practice.

Before the clinical experience, major has to be covered.

Concurrent evaluation to avoid mistakes and subjectiveness.

Along with theory and practice provide the chances and opportunities for the
student, to develop personality also.

Provide experiences continuously, no student should be left alone

Overcrowding of experiences should be avoided.

Division of students into groups, should be based on supervisory principle

depended on

Alphabetical order

Registered number of teachers

Observation of students

Number of clinical areas to be completed.

Maxims of the teaching has to follow

Meaningful experiences should be provided

It should be flexible, not too rigid

All procedures have to be observed for each student.

Assigning clients depends upon

Students level of knowledge and experience

Faculty member

Patients point of view, condition wise and system affected

Doctors wise

Geographic area

Needs of patients functional wise.

Summary:So far till now we discussed definition, objectives, principles of developing

clinical rotation plan, factors influencing clinical rotation plan, factors to be
considered in planning clinical rotation plan.

Conclusion:Clinical rotation plan is the statement of plan which will helps the student to
gain maximum experience from clinical area. The principles followed to plan a
clinical rotation plan.

Bibliography: Narayanan S., (1999), Learning and Teaching in Nursing, Brain fill
publications, Trivanathapuram, India, Pp. 77-79.
Basavanthappa B.T., (2004), Nursing Education, Jaypee publications, New
Delhi, India, P 199.
Neeraja (2005), Text Book of Nursing Education, Jaypee Publications, New
Delhi, India, Pp. 242-45.