Preparing ABSN students for early entry and success in the clinical setting: flipping both class and skills lab with the Socratic Method

Objectives Accelerated Second Degree BSN (ABSN) students have limited time to gain expertise. Reaching competency in skills takes weeks, delaying the application and mastery of skills in clinical practice. Our objective is to describe how our ABSN program fundamentals of nursing course enhances learning effectiveness and prepares students for successful entry into nursing. Methods Using the Socratic Method and flipping the classroom and skills lab, with deliberate practice techniques, ABSN students quickly gain competence in core aspects of nursing. Rapid acquisition of competence early in the program allows for a meaningful clinical experience. Results NCLEX pass rates for our ABSN graduates averaged 93.84% over the past 4 years, and students report high levels of satisfaction with the program. Conclusions Using the Socratic Method in a flipped classroom and skills lab provides an environment that engages students, fosters NCLEX success, and supports development of clinical judgment critical for positive patient outcomes.