Combining traditional and RN students in a senior capstone experience: the student perspective.
BACKGROUND: This study explored the students' perspective related to combining traditional and RN student populations in a senior capstone course. METHOD: In the final semester in a senior baccalaureate program, nursing students (N = 340) completed an investigator-designed 5-item survey. Data were reviewed independently by three investigators for emergent themes. RESULTS: While the course content was applied differently by two student populations, both appreciated a seminar format that allowed increased creativity, autonomy, and flexibility. CONCLUSIONS: Merits of an integrated course were more explicitly stated by traditional students, who viewed the RNs as a source of reality-based learning. Faculty sensitivity to the unique learning needs of each student population is recommended.