Upper Peninsula Teaching & Learning Conference - 2026

Background/Introduction: As nurse practitioner (NP) education increasingly shifts to hybrid and online models, there is a growing need to bridge theoretical learning with hands-on clinical skills and experience. Students often lack in-person opportunities to build procedural confidence before clinical rotations.
Purpose: The objective of this project was to design and implement an immersive, in-person, faculty-led skills camp to improve NP students’ readiness for clinical practice through structured, hands-on skill development and faculty feedback.
Procedures: Faculty at Northern Michigan University developed a four-day in-person clinical skills camp for NP students prior to the start of their clinical rotations. Students engaged in hands-on practice of essential procedures, including abscess drainage, joint injections, removal of foreign bodies from the eyes and ears, dermatologic procedures, and suturing. Clinical Skills USA facilitated specialized training in pelvic and prostate examinations. Students evaluated the camp using a post-event Likert-scale survey and open-ended feedback.
Results: Student feedback demonstrated high satisfaction. Most presenters were rated “Agree” or “Strongly Agree” on knowledge, organization, engagement, and value. Open-ended responses highlighted hands-on practice, particularly suturing, as the most beneficial aspect. A key recommendation was to extend the camp duration. 
Limitations: No pre- and post-evaluations were conducted, limiting the ability to measure objective improvements in skill or confidence. Student feedback was based on a post-camp survey that relied on self-reports and may be subject to bias. Additionally, students had to travel and arrange their own accommodations, which may limit participation or create inequities. Time constraints also limited the number of practice opportunities for certain procedures. 
Conclusions/Implications for Practice: The skills camp effectively addressed gaps in clinical preparedness by offering early exposure to procedures in a supportive, in-person learning environment. Faculty-led immersive training is an impactful intervention for hybrid NP programs seeking to better prepare students for clinical rotations.