The sum of all parts: An Australian experience in improving clinical partnerships

To create a collaborative partnership between the education provider (University) and the placement provider (Hospital) to facilitate the identification and development of strategies to improve capacity and capability for nursing clinical placements. This partnership was labelled (TULIP) to identify the two partners and it purpose as a learning investment project. The quality of clinical learning is interdependent on the collaborative clinical health partnerships between Hospital, University, preceptors/facilitators and students. Success is dependent on communication between all key stakeholders within the partnership, to meet capacity and capability demand. Collaborative quality assurance project in combination with two research projects. Quantitative and qualitative measurements of student perceptions, preceptor understanding and organisation partnership capacity and capability over a three year period in an acute care hospital. Qualitative and quantitative data from students and preceptors, and hospital quality assurance data linked to become the TULIP framework for a clinical placement development model that addresses the key components of strategic communication, resourcing and staff acknowledgement between stakeholders. The outcomes achieved demonstrated student engagement, clinical leadership from registered nursing staff, and the establishment of a collaborative partnership between hospital executives and staff, and the university resulting in an increased capacity. The TULIP project has provided both partners with a sustainable plan for growth in student placements, improved strategies to develop clinical leadership practice in individual nurses and a better clinical learning environment for staff that uses a framework that is transferrable to other health settings.