University of Bridgeport pilot clinical model draws board scrutiny; university to report back by March 9

Board members spent extensive time during the Feb. 19 meeting questioning University of Bridgeport officials about a pilot clinical model run with Bridgeport Hospital that deviated from the program—s approved clinical structure.

University of Bridgeport executive director Linda Wagner described a one-semester pilot in which senior students were assigned to clinical shifts on hospital units with a model adapted from a University of Maryland program known as the Academy of Clinical Essentials (ACE). Under the pilot, one hospital nurse worked with four senior students on 12-hour clinical shifts; University staff described site liaison nursing faculty and UB faculty coordination and periodic rounds by university faculty during the clinical day.

Board members pressed for details after noting the program—s approved curriculum requires a specified number of clinical hours. Board members and staff recorded the university—s statement that the program—s RN curriculum shows 849 clinical hours and 562 theoretical hours; the pilot produced about 120 practice hours for the participating students over a single semester, according to the university—s description. Board members noted that while clinical arrangements such as preceptorships are recognized in other contexts, the school implemented the pilot without first presenting the change to the board for approval under the board—s major-curriculum-change procedures.

Nut graf: The board flagged two issues: (1) whether the clinical experience delivered under the pilot met the board—s regulatory standards for clinical hours and instructor assignment; and (2) whether the university should have sought prior approval for what several members characterized as a major curricular change. Board counsel and the assistant attorney general explained the board—s remedial options under existing regulations and that certain enforcement steps are constrained by statute and regulation.

Key points from the meeting: - University of Bridgeport said 16 senior students participated in the pilot (four students per hospital nurse on four units) during the semester; students did one 12-hour shift on their assigned clinical day and faculty made rounds. The pilot included simulation on one day of the term. - Board members and legal counsel debated enforcement options. Department and board counsel advised that the board may request corrective steps, require reports, and place a program on conditional approval for regulatory noncompliance, but counsel said the regulations do not give the board an automatic power to require re-teaching past hours in a particular format. - The University of Bridgeport said it had stopped the pilot and that administration would assess any learning gaps for the affected students.

Outcome and next steps: The board asked University of Bridgeport to submit a written report describing (a) the pilot—s structure and the hours actually completed by affected students; (b) an assessment of any learning objectives not met during the pilot; and (c) a remediation plan or other proposal to assure student competency. The university and DPH agreed the university should deliver the report to the Department of Public Health by March 9 so the board can review the material at its March 19 meeting. The board did not impose additional immediate discipline or change the program—s approval status at the Feb. 19 meeting, but members emphasized that schools must seek prior board approval before implementing major curriculum changes.

Ending: Board counsel said the meeting highlighted a regulatory gap the board may address when the board revisits regulations; university officials agreed to return with the requested documentation and a remediation plan.