Title : Improving clinical learning environment: Views and expectations of student nurses in Limbe Regional hospital, Cameroon
Abstract:
Background: Clinical teaching lies at the heart of nursing education and the role the clinical learning environment (CLE) plays in Nursing Education cannot be underestimated. Clinical education constitutes about 50 percent of any nursing curriculum.
Objectives: This study aimed at describing the views and expectations of nursing students regarding the CLE.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods. The study was carried out at the Regional Hospital Limbe (LRH) from November 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017. Purposive and consecutive convenience sampling methods were employed to select the sites and enroll participants respectively. The study population comprised all the student nurses on clinical placements in LRH. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire made up of both open and closed-ended questions. Data was collected on the views and expectations of nursing students regarding the CLE, and ways of improving clinical learning. Data collected was entered into Epi info for analysis. Data was analysed using both qualitative and quantitative methods. The qualitative data was analysed using the systematic process of thematic analysis where responses were read to gain understanding and insight into the participants’ views and expectations regarding the CLE, and suggestions for improving clinical learning. Ideas or viewpoints were identified and grouped under umbrella terms or key themes. For the quantitative data, frequencies of responses were determined. Data was presented using frequency tables and cross-tabulation.
Results: A total of 50 student nurses participated in the study. The findings revealed that 30(60%) of the participants reported being stressed and anxious in their first clinical placement. A conducive learning environment was top 21(42%) regarding participants’ expectations of the CLE. A high proportion (40[80%]) of the participants mentioned ineffective communication between clinical teachers and students as one of the challenges faced in clinical learning. Half (16[32%]) of the participants stated that in order to improve clinical learning there is a need for skillful clinicians who promote positive relationship with students.
Conclusion: Clinical learning is an essential part of nursing education and the clinical learning environment is expected to be conducive that is, accommodative and stress free in order to promote effective learning for all student nursing.
Keywords: Clinical Learning Environment, Expectations, Nursing Students.
Audience Take Away Notes:
1. Clinical teaching is a vital part of nursing education
2. Most students are stressed and anxious in their first clinical placement
3. Students expect the clinical learning environment to be conducive in order to promote effective
4. Students face challenges such as ineffective communication between clinical teachers and students in clinical learning
5. To improve clinical learning, clinical teachers need to be knowledgeable, skillful and promote positive relationship with students
• Explain how the audience will be able to use what they learn?
It be a reminder to nurses of their role as role models for students
• How will this help the audience in their job?
It will help them improve their knowledge and skills in order to become effective clinical teachers
• Is this research that other faculty could use to expand their research or teaching?
Yes, it could help other faculty to conduct a further research in this area and educators could use the findings of this research to emphasise the need for nurses to always demonstrate the qualities of an ideal nurse especially in the clinical setting and ways to promote students’ learning
• Does this provide a practical solution to a problem that could simplify or make a designer’s job more efficient?
Yes, it could help in revising and designing of nursing programmes
• Will it improve the accuracy of a design, or provide new information to assist in a design problem?
Yes, it will help in both
