Purpose: A new digital health clinical evaluation pedagogy has been developed and tested in nursing, called the ABCDE’s, that aids in student learning and is advantageous in the implementation of delivering care. If we are to progress in both the science and art of clinical nursing and meet the demands of the Covid-19 online clinical teaching environment we must have new approaches to teaching and evaluation that translate theoretical knowledge to clinical practicum via clinical thinking.

Explanation: After a clinical topic is chosen (eg: diagnosis, medication, issue) an oral and/or written ABCDE pedagogy includes; A: Anatomy & physiology, B: Best care, C: Complications, D: Drugs, E: Evidence based practice.

Summary: The ABCDEs are one way to better prepare nursing students in areas of communication, critical thinking, providing care in intensive clinical experiences (on-line, face-to-face, simulation), discussion of ethical and professional issues, as well as afford one-on-one time with the clinical preceptor/professor and exponential learning in a pre- and/or post-conference environment.

Clinical relevance: The ABCDE approach for use in clinical care is a way to evaluate students thinking and facilitate learning during clinical practicum, either on-line, face-to-face or in the simulation environment using an oral and/or digital platform. It offers a systematic approach, includes availability of asking questions on the professor’s, preceptor’s, and student’s part and is a way to include evidence-based practice into individualized patient care.