MODULE PLANNING
Developing the interprofessional module required
faculty to explore best practices for collaborative
learning. Faculty developed module objectives and
reviewed their respective courses to ensure consistency
with nursing and pharmacy course objectives.
Faculty responsibilities related to the new joint activity
were negotiated. As planning began, the faculty
dialogued about the personal attributes needed by
student team members in order to be a good team
citizen. The ability to resolve conflicts was considered
essential, requiring open and direct communication, a
willingness to find solutions, and respect for team
members.11 It was also essential that students work
independently in their teams. Students needed to
engage in active learning, developing relationships,
and communicating well to facilitate attainment of
the learning outcomes.
Although FNP and pharmacy students were both
taking the final course in their respective programs,
the 2 curricula were structured very differently. The
FNP student cohort was comprised of working
nurses with 2 prior semesters of advanced practice
student clinical experiences, whereas pharmacy students
had not yet experienced their first patient
clinical encounters. Because of this, the pharmacy
students needed resources related to communication
skills that were not considered necessary for the FNP
students. Because students lived across the state, faceto
face student meetings would be unlikely for most
students, and resources to support