A unique pilot Clinical Collaborative Partnership Model (CCPM) commenced in late September, this year between the School of Nursing and Midwifery (SoNM) and three health care partners; namely Gosford and Wyong hospitals in the Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD) and Calvary Mater hospital in the Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD). This pilot clinical model involves selected Bachelor of Nursing (BN) students participating across the CCPM sites in 2012; and they will continue their clinical placement in the same health service organisation for the duration of their program. The aim of this model is to enhance the student experience for undergraduate nursing students by introducing a new clinical placement model to operate alongside the existing multiple setting clinical placement scheme.

The new model has a key objective of strengthening the quality of the clinical experience between nursing students and hospital clinical staff so that an effective developmental process, supervisory relationship and learning environment can develop. It is expected that students will gain an ongoing experience of belonging while the staff experience a sense of support for their students. Our collaborative model partners will also be able to plan the recruitment and retention of new staff through this model. The clinical model is aligned to the University of Newcastle strategic plan (2011-2015) and specifically links to:

• Promoting and improving a positive student experience and quality teaching and learning;
• Promoting and supporting partnership and communities;
• Ensuring sustainable perspective and actions.