Exploring Clinical Placement Education Unit (CPEU) experiences from the nursing bachelor's degree program at the University of Parma

Introduction Clinical placement is a vital component of nursing education, offering the opportunity to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical application. Among the factors that significantly influence this experience, clinical tutoring models plays a crucial role in the development of key competencies. Objectives To evaluate the impact of Dedicated Education Unit (DEU) on the quality of nursing students' teaching and learning experiences at the Piacenza Teaching Hospital and to explore its effect on job satisfaction. Methods A mixed-methods study was conducted from June 2023 to June 2024 included nursing students and nurses from the neuro-rehabilitation unit. Qualitative data were gathered through semi-structured interviews and analysed according to the Braun and Clarke thematic analysis model. Quantitative data were collected via two validated questionnaires and analysed using descriptive statistical methods. Results The qualitative findings reveal that this innovative placement model promotes autonomy, team integration, and the development of interpersonal skills. Quantitative results show that the absolute median values for both questionnaires were higher among participants in the DEU group compared to those exposed to the traditional clinical placement experience. Conclusions The DEU model seems to be effective in enhancing learning and in bridging theory with practice. Challenges related to high student numbers and resistance to change were identified.