Coordinating Clinical Rotations During the Novel Corona Virus 2 Pandemic

Background: The outbreak of COVID-19 cases and deaths caused havoc in the medical, social, and education arenas, turning the normal routine into a new normal. Health care facilities across the state of Florida closed clinical training sites. Nursing students who were in scheduled clinical rotations suddenly were removed from assigned clinical sites. When students were no longer able to attend their clinical rotations due to COVID-19, panic ensued for students and educators. Method: After clinical rotations came to a halt due to COVID-19, family nurse practitioner faculty promptly began discussions on clinical placement resolutions including creative and innovative strategies to provide clinical alternatives to face-to-face clinical hours. Results: Graduation has been delayed for 69% of the students due to COVID-19 and the inability to complete the required number of direct face-to-face clinical hours. Conclusion: Innovation, dedication, and perseverance allowed faculty to sustain student engagement and retention through quality clinical alternatives.