Enhancing the clinical experience for undergraduate nursing students: revisiting the clinical associate model.

The clinical teaching associate (CTA) model in which a staff nurse worked with a faculty member in the teaching of undergraduate nursing students was implemented in an acute care pediatric setting. The CTA model fostered learning outcomes by increasing opportunities for students to practice skills and by fostering positive relationships between the students and the nursing staff. Implications for staff nurse educators in the preparation of staff for the CTA role are discussed.