Providing experiences for student nurses: perspectives for cooperating hospitals.

What are the pros and cons of your hospital cooperating with a school of nursing by providing clinical experiences for students? This article discusses the human and material resources that must be available to provide the student with the maximum benefit from the experience. In addition to certain costs inherent in providing this type of support, the authors explore the advantages of having students in terms of recruitment potential, continuing education of staff, and staff satisfaction. Guidelines presented here will help you make a decision about starting a student clinical experience or enhance your management of an existing clinical experience program.