The application was formulated based on the learning needs of undergraduate nursing students within the context of clinical placement. The purpose of Placement Pal is to ensure the facilitation of learning opportunities for students on clinical placement.

The application is targeted at students, preceptors, clinical facilitators and educators. Through direct supervision of students and continuous monitoring via the application industry partners can be confident students are developing professional identity, enhancing competence and confidence with adequate and appropriate supervision provided to students. The application will allow for open communication via a messaging system between student/clinical facilitator (CF),preceptor/CF, daily data input loaded into the app by students and preceptors while placement is occurring will monitor student participation in clinical skills, clinical handover, patient load allocation, reflection, a rating system with students able to rate satisfaction with support on shift, signing on/off. Educational content will be loaded onto the application specific to the clinical environment. For example, policy and procedure and educational ‘bites’ with common patient condition break downs. Placement Pal will include student and preceptor profiles. Information available on the student profile will include a student headshot, year of study, previous placement experience, clinical interests and goals. The preceptor profile will include a brief introduction, photo, years of experience and any areas of clinical interest/passions the preceptor might have. Students and preceptors will have access to profiles via the application just before clinical placement commences.

Reporting in real time allows for clinical facilitators to decide where best to allocate time and resources based on student educational needs. This strengthens educators’ ability to ensure students meet learning objectives during clinical placement, as a direct result students’ feel supported. The ability to use the Placement Pal application via any smartphone device may reduce cost associated with implementation.