AdventHealth University partners with AdventHealth hospital to provide one-to-one clinical training for nursing students.
Six AdventHealth University nursing students officially began learning on the Neuro Progressive Care Unit at AdventHealth Tampa, as the hospital’s first Dedicated Education Unit opened.
Through this Dedicated Education Unit, each student is paired with a nurse mentor and works an entire shift alongside the nurse each week for a trimester. This steady mentorship allows students to build skills, ask questions in real time, and better understand the day-to-day work of caring for patients in the hospital. Instead of rotating between units or instructors, students remain with the same nurse, creating trust, consistency, and a stronger learning experience.
“This immersive experience allows for a smooth transition from student to professional practice,” said Jozie Gold, PhD, MSN-Ed, RN, assistant dean of nursing for AdventHealth University. “We are so grateful our students have found a clinical home where they can learn, build relationships and practice whole-person care.”
Patients also can benefit from the extra support at the bedside.
Research in the Journal of Nursing Education and Practice shows that nursing students in DEUs report higher confidence and stronger readiness for practice than students in traditional clinical placements. Students assigned to DEUs were more likely to say unit nurses actively helped them develop clinical skills and supported them in taking ownership of their learning.
“AdventHealth is committed to strengthening the nursing workforce pipeline,” said Charity Carlisle, chief nursing officer of AdventHealth Tampa. “This is one innovative way we can help prepare the next generation of nurses. Our nurse leaders and I are thrilled to see students learning and gaining confidence on this unit.”
This is the second DEU in the AdventHealth West Florida Division. The first, a collaboration between AdventHealth Zephyrhills, AdventHealth Dade City and Saint Leo University, opened in 2024. A total of 27 DEUs are in operation throughout AdventHealth, several of them collaborations with AdventHealth University.
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