Select nursing students at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston are getting a first crack at what it’s like to be a nurse – while still in school.

The school implemented the Pacesetters program a year ago which is a redesign of its four-semester Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. The Pacesetters track gives students their in-classroom work along with an opportunity to work a full-time clinical rotation schedule over 16 weeks during their final semester at school.  To be admitted into the program applicants must complete 60 hours of prerequisite work.

Katherine McKay, one of 50 students accepted into the first group of Pacesetters last year, is in the final semester of the program. She and other students feel they have received an enhanced perspective of what it takes to work as a full-time nurse.

“I selected the Pacesetters program because when it was presented to us, the more focused and steady route seemed to fit my work habits and personality a lot better,” McKay said.

A task force chaired by Cathy Rozmus, D.S.N., R.N., the UTHealth School of Nursing associate dean for academic affairs, developed the Pacesetters concept. “Our goal was to create an educational experience that will get the student living the life of a nurse while still in nursing school and help develop the strong critical thinking skills demanded by a clinical workplace,” she said.

Rozmus and Pacesetters director Stephanie Meyers, Ph.D., R.N., have been observing and assessing the Pacesetters students in order to evaluate their growth compared to the traditional nursing track. So far, feedback indicates the students are pleased with their choice and feel prepared. Rozmus and Meyers will continue their evaluation of the students after graduation.

“We have noticed that Pacesetters students have been very supportive of each other and want everyone to be successful,” Meyers said.

Pacesetters has partnered with the Memorial Hermann Healthcare System which has allowed students to experience 12-hour work shifts, continuity of care with patients and become acquainted with the hospital’s system of care. Students have also had a chance to work in a variety of nursing settings like local schools and community sites, and obstetric, acute and pediatric nursing units.

Kathryn Lito, a student in the program, said Pacesetters has given her a better idea of the direction she’d like to focus her career. In a typical nursing track, students may not be exposed to the continuity-of-care experience and only get brief and limited contact with a hospital’s system of care.

“I’ve been able to connect with patients and follow them throughout the course of their treatment because we work three rotation shifts in a week,” Lito said. “The traditional student may not have the opportunity to see the same patient each shift of their rotation since it may be on a weekly basis.”

The Pacesetters program also place clinical preceptors within each unit who serve more or less as mentors to the students by addressing concerns or questions students may have during their shift. Rozmus said she hopes the intense clinical experience in the Pacesetters tracks produces a more “job-ready” graduate.

Visit HospitalDreamJobs.com weekly for all the latest healthcare news, trends and insight as well as complete and up-to-date job postings in all areas of the medical field.