PERCEPTIONS OF ACTUAL AND PREFERRED HOSPITAL CLINICAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF STUDENT NURSES

PERCEPTIONS OF ACTUAL AND PREFERRED HOSPITAL CLINICAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT OF STUDENT NURSES

Chapter one

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Nursing is a practice-based profession, with clinical education being an essential component of the nursing curriculum. Clinical practice is the primary emphasis of students’ learning, and clinical placement/posting is one of the most important aspects of nursing education.

Clinical placement is the setting in which skills, information, and attitudes acquired in the theoretical portion of the curriculum are applied, developed, and integrated into practice (Newton, Jolly, Ockerby & Cross, 2010). According to Norman (2009), clinical practice settings offer students unique learning opportunities in which classroom theory and skills are put to the test in real-world scenarios.

Aside from teaching students how to use their knowledge, skills, and attitudes in clinical scenarios, it is critical that valuable clinical time be used properly and productively.

Zilembo and Montereso (2008) emphasised the need of practicing in an appropriate clinical learning setting at the right time so that theory and practice can complement one another.

Nursing students viewed the clinical setting as the most influential backdrop for learning and practicing nursing skills (Al-Kandari, Vidal, & Thomas 2009).

The relevance of clinical education has been emphasised in the United Kingdom and other countries of the world, including Nigeria. Providing great clinical training with an emphasis on improvement and development is critical to ensure that students receive high-quality care and treatment of patients and customers (E.N.B & D.O.H 2001).