Bridging competency and technology: User evaluation of a digital clinical workbook for nurse practitioner students

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educationally designed digital clinical workbook for Master of Nursing (Nurse Practitioner) students' work-integrated learning experience. Sixteen students completed an anonymous online survey consisting of closed questions and open-ended free text items to capture students' experience of the usability and utility of the digital clinical workbook to complete work-integrated assessments. Three focus groups were conducted comprising nine students and one alumnus. Despite initially finding the technology challenging, students found the digital platform navigable and useful. They preferred the digital clinical workbook over paper-based assessment methods and acknowledged the benefit of intentionally embedding the digital platform across the curriculum, the importance of providing user resources, and the influence of the workbook on employability skills. The digital clinical workbook is an innovative option for nurse practitioner students to complete clinical-based assessments while increasing their digital literacy and employability skills.