Practices of caring for nursing students: A clinical learning environment

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to explore, describe and illuminate nursing students’ best encounters of caring in the clinical learning environment. Caring for nursing students was emphasized and recommendations provided to enhance caring for nursing students within their clinical learning environment.MethodsQualitative data was collected by the researcher using semi-structured individual interviews and an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) methodology. Ten second year nursing students undertaking the bridging course leading to registration as general nurses in terms of Regulation 683 of the South African Nursing Council (SANC) were purposively sampled from 3 private hospitals within the Western Cape. Data was analysed using Giorgi’s method.ResultsThe main theme included the best and ‘least best’ caring practices embedded in the centrality of the heart. The subthemes comprised of the nursing students’ experiences of caring literacy and caring illiteracy. The second theme included the creation of best caring practices within a conducive clinical learning environment. Within this theme, the subthemes comprised of the caring attributes required in reflecting best caring practices, as well the creation of a clinical learning environment to optimise caring.ConclusionsThe significance and necessity of caring for the nursing student were clearly illustrated and confirmed by participants. Caring was equated to the heart as the core to the nursing students’ being. Recommendations for nursing education, management, practice and research were therefore specifically formulated to enhance caring towards nursing students.     

The impacts of faculty caring on nursing students’ intent to graduate: A systematic literature review

ObjectivesTo examine the current studies about the impacts of faculty caring on nursing students’ intent to graduate and provide recommendations. The nursing profession continues to face nursing shortages. One of the solutions recognized to alleviate the shortage is increasing the number of students graduating from nursing schools. It lacks a literature review synthesizing the current research about the impacts of faculty caring on nursing students’ intent to graduate and indicate areas for future research.MethodsThis is a systematic literature review. The search of the literature was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). Databases searched included MEDLINE via PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Search. Search terms included ‘attrition,’ ‘dropouts,’ ‘graduation rate,’ ‘faculty,’ ‘instructor,’ ‘professor,’ ‘nursing,’ and ‘caring.’ResultsTen articles met the inclusion criteria. The articles were conducted in the Associate Degree of Nursing and the Bachelor of Science in Nursing programs. Nursing faculties played a significant role in students’ intent to graduate by building students’ confidence, creating a compassionate learning environment, and promoting students’ competence. Faculties’ caring behaviors, including respecting students, showing empathy, and using caring communication skills, were essential characteristics to affect students’ learning environments.ConclusionsThe findings indicate that students’ perceptions of faculty caring can affect their perceptions of the learning environment and sense of belonging, and therefore, impact their intent to graduate. Students’ perceptions of their instructors’ caring behaviors are instrumental in motivating them to continue learning. The capacity of faculty caring plays a significant role in students’ success.     

Nursing students learning transfer from classroom to clinical practice: An integrative review

AimThe aim of this integrative review was to examine the theoretical, qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods literature focused on how nursing students transfer learning from theory courses into clinical practice.BackgroundAs nursing curriculum aligns with the growing body of nursing knowledge, nursing students continue to develop their knowledge base and skill sets to prepare for future nursing practice. The bulk of this preparation involves developing connections between classroom/lab knowledge and further demonstrating those connections in clinical practice. However, the extant state of evidence on undergraduate nursing students’ learning transfer has not yet been synthesized.DesignThis integrative review was conducted using the Whittemore and Knafl framework.Review methodsEight databases were searched in June 2022: MEDLINE, APA PsycInfo, EMBASE, Web of Science, CINAHL, ERIC, Academic Search Complete and Education Research Complete. Literature was included if it focused on undergraduate nursing students who have participated in at least one clinical practicum and reported on learning transfer in clinical settings. Only English-language, peer-reviewed literature was included. Two researchers independently assessed the eligibility of articles at the title-and-abstract level and at the full-text level, followed by an assessment of methodological quality. The Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal checklists were used to assess theoretical papers and literature reviews and the mixed-methods appraisal tool (MMAT) was used to appraise all studies. Reference lists of included articles were searched for additional relevant literature. Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines.ResultsTwenty-eight articles met our inclusion criteria and were included in this review, including 20 qualitative studies, one quantitative study, three mixed-methods studies, three theoretical articles and one integrative review. The results of this review highlighted that numerous facilitators and barriers influence nursing students’ ability to transfer learning within clinical learning environments. Facilitators included having knowledgeable and supportive educators and nursing staff, using strategies to promote connections, fostering reflection and aligning theory and practice. Barriers included unclear connections between course content, incongruencies between classroom and practice, lack of nurse role models, lack of real-world applicability and unsupportive nurse educators.ConclusionsThe information generated from this integrative review provides evidence about barriers that can be mitigated and facilitators that can be leveraged to facilitate undergraduate nursing students’ learning transfer into clinical practice. The findings also highlighted gaps in evidence surrounding the need to understand how nursing students transfer learning from classroom settings to clinical practice settings.     

Caring in process: A 3-year qualitative longitudinal study of nursing students

AimThis paper aims to describe caring perceptions and behaviors among student nurses in Italy as they progress through their nursing education.BackgroundAs nursing students are potential nurses of the future, there is an expectation that in addition to appropriate academic qualifications, they will develop appropriate caring behaviors/attitudes. However, there has been some evidence that the educational process does not always modify their caring perceptions/behaviors or that the direction of the change is not always positive.DesignA qualitative longitudinal design with three data collection points, was performed from October 2013 to October 2016 at the University of Verona, Trento Campus.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted at the time of entry into a 3-year bachelor’s degree program in nursing and at the end of the second and third years. Observation of the students during their clinical practice was carried out at the end of each of the three years of education. Thirty students commenced the study and 24 finished. Data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach.ResultsThe iterative process of analyzing interviews and observations resulted in nine themes collectively from all three stages: establishing a trusting relationship with the patient, satisfying the patient’s needs, paying attention, being respectful, being competent, giving time, being concerned with the emotional dimension, acting within context to facilitate caring actions and giving information.ConclusionsAt the end of the third year the students’ concept of caring was enhanced; their initial generic or lay view of caring turned into an intentional, competent, conscious, accountable and realistic caring approach.     

Nursing Students' Experiences Related to Operating Room Practice: A Qualitative Study

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of nursing students concerning operating room (OR) practice.DesignA qualitative design was used in this study.MethodsData were collected from second-year nursing students using the semistructured interview form including open-ended questions about their OR experiences. Perspectives of phenomenological approach including existentials of lived body, lived relations, lived space, and lived time were used in data analysis.FindingsThe study data regarding experiences of nursing students concerning OR practice were organized under three themes, namely, “OR environment,” “emotions,” and “career plans after graduation.” Nine subthemes emerged: educational experience, teamwork, and communication, excitement, enjoyment, anxiety, fear, different emotions, working as a surgical nurse, and working in departments other than OR.ConclusionsIn clinical environments, student nurses should be supported by staff and instructors to facilitate learning and create meaningful learning experiences.     

The relationship between professional values,ethical sensitivities and caring behaviors among nursing students: A structural equation modeling approach

AimTo examine the relationship between professional values, ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors among nursing students and determine whether professional values play a moderator role in the relationship between ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors among nursing students.BackgroundDeveloping professional nursing values, ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors is critical in nursing programs from the first year to graduation to prepare students for increasingly complex and diverse work environments.DesignA cross‐sectional study using structural equation modeling. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist was used.MethodsThis study was conducted with 189 undergraduate nursing students. The study was conducted in a four-year nursing faculty in the Mediterranean region of Turkey from February to June 2022. Data were collected using a personal information form, the Nurses’ Professional Values Scale, the Moral Sensitivity Questionnaire and the Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool Nursing Version-Short Form.ResultsWe found that nursing students' perceptions of professional values and caring behaviors were high and their ethical sensitivity was moderate. Nursing students who are successful in high school have higher professional values. In addition, it was determined that nursing students who chose the nursing profession because of altruism had higher perceptions of caring behaviors. A positive relationship exists between professional values, ethical sensitivity (r = −0.258, p < 0.001) and caring behaviors (r = 0.431, p < 0.001) (p < 0.05). Professional values have a positive effect on ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors.ConclusionProfessional values, ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors are relationships and professional values positively predict nursing students' ethical sensitivities and caring behaviors. As the professional value perceptions of nursing students increase, their ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors increase. Improving the curricula in a way that will improve professional values may enable nursing students to increase their ethical sensitivity and caring behaviors. The research contributes to a broader understanding of nursing education curriculum content.     

Learning by chance. Student nurses’ conditions for learning in single-room hospital design. A realistic evaluation

AimThe aim of this study was to explore how a single-room hospital design influenced student nurses’ learning and competence development in clinical practice compared with shared-room accommodation, refining the programme theory: The student nurses’ conditions for learning in single-room hospital design are associated with the values of the patient room as the patient’s home during hospitalisation.BackgroundIt is evident that a hospital design with single-room accommodation influences several parameters for both the patients and staff. Furthermore, studies have shown that the physical as well as the psychological learning environment affects the learning outcome for student nurses. A premise for learning and education is that the physical learning space must promote person-centred and collaborative learning in order for the students to achieve their competence development goals.DesignThe study was conducted as a realistic evaluation that compares second and fifth-semester undergraduate nurses’ learning and competence development in clinical practice in shared accommodation (a pre-study) to single-room accommodation (a post-study).MethodsIn the data generation, we drew on an ethnographically inspired participant observation method. We gathered data during the period 2019–2021, covering the time before and approximately one year after relocation to all single-room accommodation. We undertook 120 h of participant observation for the pre-study and 146 h of participant observation for the post-study.ConclusionWe conclude that the learning environment in a single-room accommodation setting promotes task-oriented practices where the patient is often a mediator of activities related to nursing care. The learning environment in single-room accommodation places increased demands on the students’ ability to reflect on verbal instructions on nursing activities whenever the chance for reflection presents itself. We also conclude that in a single-room accommodation setting, stakeholders must focus on conscious planning and follow-up on the student nurses’ learning and educational activities which must support the students’ competence development. Hence, summing up to a refined programme theory developed through the realistic evaluation process: The student nurse’s conditions for learning in a single-room hospital design are associated with increased demands on the student’s ability to reach out for professional reflection when the chance presents itself. This is because the value of the patient room as the patient’s home during hospitalisation promotes a task-solving approach to nursing with the patient and the patient’s relatives as instructors.     

Nursing students’ perceived stress and clinical learning experience

BackgroundStressors among nursing students arise from both academic activities and clinical placement. Understanding how nursing students perceive academic and clinical stressors and the clinical learning environment could help develop useful approaches to reducing levels of stress and contribute to the maintenance of a good learning environment. There is a paucity of studies that investigated associations between the clinical learning environment and the stress of nursing students.ObjectivesTo investigate the relationship between the perception of the clinical learning environment and stress in nursing students; to compare the perception of the clinical learning environment and stress in terms of the year and terms of the organization of supervision.DesignCross-sectional correlation studySettingsUniversityParticipantsThe sample consisted of 155 nursing students in the bachelor's degree program. During the four academic years, students of individual years of the bachelor's study program were included in the study after completing all clinical placements in a given academic year.MethodsThe following instruments were used for the data collection: Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher evaluation scale, Perceived Stress Scale; Physio-Psycho-Social Response Scale and Coping Behaviour Inventory. Correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis using stepwise methods were used to determine the relationships between the variables.ResultsThe clinical learning environment is a strong predictor of students' perceptions of stress related to teachers and nursing staff. Types and degrees of stressful events during clinical practice varied between years of study. The experience with supervision was related to the overall perception of the clinical learning environment, but not to the students' physio-psychosocial status, types of stressful events during clinical practice and coping behaviors. Also, the differences in the students' physio-psychosocial status were not significant in terms of individual years of study and method of supervision.ConclusionsThere is a significant relationship between the clinical learning environment and the perception of academic stress. The attitude of the teacher and the medical staff can thus be important in influencing the level of stress in nursing students.     

Belongingness in undergraduate/pre-licensure nursing students in the clinical learning environment: A scoping review

AimThe aim of this scoping review was to map the literature investigating belongingness in undergraduate/pre-licensure nursing students in the clinical learning environment.BackgroundThe concept of belongingness, which encompasses feelings of acceptance, connection and value alignment, has been tied to positive outcomes in undergraduate/pre-licensure nursing students including increased learning, participation, confidence and professional socialization. It is critical for educators and clinical staff to foster a sense of belongingness for nursing students to promote positive and effective clinical learning experiences.DesignThe scoping review strategy established by the Joanna Briggs Institute was followed. The databases searched were CINAHL Complete (EBSCO), Education Source, Medline Complete (EBSCO), APA PsycINFO (EBSCO) and Epistemonikos.MethodsFollowing a search of the five databases, studies were screened by title and abstract by two independent reviewers for inclusion. Data including population, concept, context, methods and key findings relevant to the review question were extracted and synthesized using an instrument developed by the reviewers.ResultsA total of 47 articles with varying methodologies were critically appraised. Three overarching focus areas emerged: outcomes resulting from feelings of belongingness versus alienation, factors that contribute to a sense of belongingness in the clinical learning environment and interventions to promote a sense of belongingness while students are immersed in the clinical learning environment.ConclusionsBelongingness in the clinical learning environment is an important concept that lends itself to positive learning experiences and increased satisfaction of undergraduate/pre-licensure nursing students. Environmental, relational and experiential factors can be maximized and specific interventions employed to promote belongingness. This review identifies a lack of evidence on measured interventional effectiveness at the student, school and clinical unit level. Future research to address these gaps is recommended.Tweetable abstractScoping review suggests environmental, relational and experiential factors promote positive outcomes in belongingness of nursing students.     

Nursing students’ evaluation of clinical learning environment and supervision in a Norwegian hospital placement – A questionnaire survey using CLES+T scale

AimThe clinical learning environment and supervisor-student relationship play vital roles in the learning outcomes of nursing students. The aim of this study is to evaluate nursing students’ experiences with the clinical learning environment and supervision in a hospital placement organised with a dual preceptor team – preceptors holding dual positions both in the clinic and the nursing faculty in addition to the standard one-to-one supervision by a clinical preceptor.DesignThe study is a paper-based survey based on a validated questionnaire developed and tested in hospital settings in various European countries, including Norway.MethodThe Norwegian version of the CLES+T Evaluation Scale, was distributed to all second-year students in three different years (2015–2017) at a nursing faculty.ResultsA total of 61% students (n = 261) returned the questionnaire. Overall, the students considered that their hospital placement provided a good clinical learning environment. The results suggest that the dual preceptor team on top of one-to-one supervision did not interfere negatively with the clinical learning environment Nevertheless, the dual preceptor model did not compensate for a poor relationship with the clinical preceptor. Thus, the association between a reported ‘strained relationship’ with the clinical preceptor and low scores on the CLES+T, reported on by other studies, remained in our data.ConclusionsTo better grasp the complexity in this area, various methods are needed, such as in-depth interviews with students, nurse teachers and clinical preceptors. Further studies need to elaborate on students’ experiences of clinical learning environment according to how supervision is organised.     

A “Co-CREATES” framework to foster a positive learning environment for nursing students’ professional development in Rwanda

AimThe future of the nursing profession in Rwanda in large part depends on the students who join the workforce and the education they have received. Preparing students with the necessary knowledge, values and judgement requires practice settings to be learner-centered. This study aimed at exploring strategies that might improve the current practice-based learning environment.DesignA focused ethnographic approach was used.MethodsNursing students, staff nurses, clinical instructors and nurse leaders from three hospitals and an educational program participated in individual interviews.ResultsFive key areas of improvement emanated from study data: 1) strengthening institutional support; 2) improving school-hospital collaboration; 3) building the capacity of nurses and clinical instructors; 4) restructuring clinical placement; and 5) reviewing the current supervision model. Based on these findings a “Co-CREATES” framework grounded in the actions of collaboration, care, recognizing, empowering, actively engaging, transforming, enhancement and support was developed. The framework offers a collaborative approach that engages every stakeholder in “cocreating” conditions that build positive practice environments which are conducive to preparing students as professional nurses.ConclusionThe positive outcomes stemming from such a collaborative approach can further enhance a positive culture of collaboration in nursing education and practice.     

Percepción de los estudiantes del Grado en Enfermería sobre su entorno de prácticas clínicas: un estudio fenomenológico

AimTo explore the perception of fourth-year nursing students of the healthcare environment where their training process in clinical practices takes place.MethodsPhenomenological qualitative study based on the hermeneutical philosophy of Gádamer that included the development of focus groups and semi-structured interviews in a sample of fourth-year nursing students from the University of Almería. The collection period was in February 2016. The information obtained was transcribed and analyzed by inductive strategies in search of emerging categories.ResultsThe analysis revealed two main categories: (1) influence of the clinical environment on the healthcare and teaching performance of nurses and on student learning and (2) training and job prospects for the future professionals. Each of them showed two subcategories with their corresponding codes. The information collected showed the experiences and perceptions of Nursing students regarding the healthcare environment where their training process in clinical practices takes place.ConclusionsThis study enabled us to discover the perception of fourth-year nursing students of the environment where their training process in clinical practices takes place. Knowledge of this phenomenon helps to identify deficits in students’ clinical learning and to adapt university curricula to their training needs in order to guarantee their success as professionals facing future clinical-labour demands.     

The effect of the training of presence in care (TPinCare) on the care-oriented patient-nurse interaction and the caring behaviors of nurses working with oncology patients: A randomized controlled trial

AimThe aim of this study is to investigate the effects of “The Training of Presence in Care-TPinCare” of nurses working with oncology patients on care-oriented patient-nurse interaction and caring behaviors.BackgroundHelping the individual to realize, protect and maintain his/her existence can be considered as the basis of "good nursing care". Presence is a way of care for the nurse and patient that fosters human-to-human bonding and deep contact experience and healing.DesignThis is a randomized controlled study.MethodData were collected between January 2019 and May 2019. The sample selection consisted of 52 nurses working with oncology patients, 26 interventions and 26 controls in accordance with the criteria of inclusion, exclusion and exemption by randominization and blinding. The data were collected by using the "Nurses Introductory Features Form", "Caring Behaviors Scale − 24 " and "Caring Nurse-Patient Interaction Scale". The training was applied to nurses in the intervention group. In data analysis used SAS 9,4 program; statistically Mean score, t test, Repeated Measures ANOVA. In the context of these effect sizes, the power of the study was calculated to be 0.99 for each scale. This study was conducted in line with the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki.ResultsAccording to the control group of nurses in the intervention group, there were no statistically significant differences in the mean scores of caring behaviors at different measurement times. A statistically significant difference was found in favor of the intervention group for caring nursing patient interaction general, sub-dimensions of "importance”, “competence” and “practicality", in nursing interventions (p < 0.05). Although the pretest mean scores of the nurses in the intervention group were lower compared with the control group, it was found that the posttest mean scores increased and the level of follow-up was maintained by a little increasing or decreasing. It was determined that there was no significant change in the posttest and follow-up scores of the nurses in the control group according to the pre-test mean scores.ConclusionsThis study showed that TPinCare has a positive effect on nurses working with oncology patients with respect to care quality perception and viewing “importance”, “competence” and “practicality", of attitude and behaviours related to care-focused patient nurse interactions. In this context, it can be suggested to continue the trainings which will contribute to caring behaviors and patient-nurse interactions of nurses and to support them with institutional contribution.