Boston College’s Nursing Program is Transforming Clinical Placement Management with InPlace Software

The process relied on fragmented tools like Google Sheets and paper forms, which were inefficient and error-prone.

Enhanced Placement Efficiency

Reduced administrative tasks by centralizing placement tracking, evaluations, and document verification within a single platform.

Improved Accreditation Reporting

Simplified compliance with accreditation requirements through streamlined data collection and reporting processes.

Future-Proofed Placement Management

Established a scalable solution supporting competency-based assessments aligned with AACN Essentials.

The Challenge

Boston College’s School of Nursing faced challenges managing clinical placements for its graduate programs. The process relied on fragmented tools like Google Sheets and paper forms, which were inefficient and error-prone. Rising placement volumes and stringent accreditation requirements underscored the need for a centralized solution. Ted Hannigan, Assistant Dean of Clinical Placement and Community Partnerships, shared, “We had almost nothing formal in place, and tracking everything through different systems was cumbersome.” The Clinical Placement Office struggled to maintain consistent records, verify documents, and streamline communications with preceptors and placement sites. This lack of integration hindered their ability to track student hours, manage evaluations, and ensure compliance with accreditation standards.

Boston College School of Nursing

Boston College’s Connell School of Nursing awards undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral degrees while offering a continuing education program for practitioners in the field. The Connell School is the #1-ranked master’s nursing program in Massachusetts. It maintains an impressive list of over 85 clinical partners in the Greater Boston area.

Impact

The adoption of InPlace Software revolutionized placement management for Boston College’s Nursing Program. Key improvements included:

Streamlined Operations: Centralized placement tracking, contract management, and student data, reducing fragmentation.
Accreditation Compliance: Enabled efficient reporting on student hours and clinical experiences, crucial for meeting accreditation standards.
Enhanced Communication: Simplified interactions with preceptors through an integrated Survey/Assessment Tool, replacing paper-based methods.

Ted noted, “One of my favorite features is the Survey/Assessment Tool. We can quickly send assessments to preceptors and track responses, making the process smoother and giving us better oversight.”

We don’t need to reach out to students individually anymore for records; it’s all there. And if someone leaves the team, data continuity is maintained within InPlace.

Ted Hannigan,
Assistant Dean of Clinical Placement and Community Partnerships at Boston College of Nursing

Clinical Placement Management Resolution

InPlace provided Boston College with an all-in-one platform tailored to the unique needs of its Nursing Program. The software facilitated seamless management of up to 250 graduate placements per semester, consolidated placement data, and enhanced workflows for document verification and evaluations.

The implementation journey involved overcoming initial challenges due to the lack of an established system. Over the last three and a half years, the Clinical Placement Office has continued to adapt its workflows, maximizing InPlace’s capabilities. The team plans to utilize InPlace to expand their program to competency-based assessments, ensuring alignment with AACN Essentials as they look to the future.

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