Author Identifier (ORCID)
Dianne Bloxsome: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0419-1249
Simon Cooper: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5561-3099
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate the early impact of the Centre. Background: The educational quality of nursing and midwifery student clinical placement learning varies. The National Placement Evaluation Centre has a pivotal role in quality improvement by systematically collecting student and supervisor feedback on placement experiences. Design: Multimodal impact evaluation. Methods: Data were collected from website analytics and a survey shared via stakeholder registration emails and social media. The Impact Management Planning and Evaluation Ladder model was used to understand impact. Data were analysed using a sequential, hybrid inductive/deductive approach. Descriptive statistics summarised participant characteristics and qualitative data were themed. Results: Website analytics revealed Centre visitors were from 92 countries, with most reviewing placement evaluation tools. Registered NPEC members represented 37 Australian education and 590 placement providers and together they accessed their data 6213 times. There was n = 107 survey responses. Thematic analysis revealed four themes describing user experiences, enhancements to placements and recommendations for system improvements: 1) A valued system, 2) Barriers to engagement, 3) Resulting changes and 4) It's early days! The deductive analysis revealed far reaching national impact. Conclusions: The Australian National Placement Evaluation Centre impact is amplified by its nationally consistent reach. Data collection via validated placement evaluation tools and streamlined data reporting informs improvements to the quality of nursing and midwifery clinical placements. Increased promotion of the NPEC to students is needed. The Centre has the potential to enhance clinical placement quality across national and international healthcare professions. Promotion to students is necessary. Future directions are reported.
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
8-1-2025
Volume
87
Publication Title
Nurse Education in Practice
Publisher
Elsevier
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Funders
The Health Education and Services Australia / Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Comments
Ryan, C., Cant, R., Hyun, A., Procter, D., Alexander, L., Bloxsome, D., Hughes, L., Bogossian, F., & Cooper, S. (2025). Measuring the impact of The Australian National Placement Evaluation Centre to enhance nursing and midwifery student clinical placements: A multimodal evaluation. Nurse Education in Practice, 87, 104505. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104505