A Journey across an Unwelcoming Field: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Factors Influencing Nursing Students’ Clinical Education

Background: Clinical education is the heart of nursing curriculum. Despite the importance of clinical education as a central part of nursing education, little qualitative literature exists exploring the factors that influence the clinical education of nursing students. The aim of this study was to explore nursing students’ experiences of the factors influencing their clinical education.

Methods and Material: A qualitative approach was undertaken in order to investigate nursing students’ experiences. Twelve nursing students were purposefully chosen from 119 BSN nursing students at Mashhad University of Medical Science, Mashhad, Iran. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, until data saturation was achieved. Inductive qualitative content analysis was used to analyze interviews.

Results: Three main themes (subthemes) emerge: “being a promoter” (evidence– based care agent, effective communication and course manager); “too hungry to learn” (motivation and acquiring self-confidence) and “unwelcoming field” (educational atmosphere of clinical environment and welfare facilities).

Conclusion: A journey across unwelcoming field was an expression of what students have felt during clinical education in the field. Humanistic approach in clinical field, strongly promotes nursing students’ learning and socialization.

Author(s):

Hossein Karimi Moonaghi, Amir Mirhaghi, Somayeh Oladi and Amir Emami Zeydi

Abstract | Full-Text | PDF

Share this