Knowledge discourses and student views : exploring the perceptions of those involved in practice-based and classroom-based clinical skills modules for nurse practitioners

Over the years trends in clinical skills education have swung between classroom based simulation and clinical based experience. Furthermore with the development of new roles such as the Advanced Nurse Practitioner, certain clinical skills are no longer the domain of one profession. However little research has investigated the perceptions of those involved in different educational strategies or the factors which influence their views. This book explores the perceptions of those involved in two types of clinical skills education for the role of nurse practitioner. The history of clinical skills education is traced and an analysis of the perceptions expressed over the course of an educational initiative undertaken. Perceptions are clearly linked to wider knowledge discourses and a model of discourse positioning and movement developed. The study raises issues for research, education and practice, and informs contemporary debates regarding educational evaluation and the theory-practice gap. The book should be useful to a range of health care professionals, educationalists, researchers and those interested in knowledge translation.