Jordanian Nursing Student and Instructor Perceptions of the Clinical Learning Environment

Abstract

Abstract Background Training within clinical areas is a vital part of nursing education. In order to effectively modify and facilitate such training, it is important to understand the perceptions of nursing educators and students about what constitutes effective practices. Objective: This study explores perceptions of Jordanian nursing students and clinical instructors related to clinical training and the learning environment. Design: Interpretative phenomenological qualitative approach was used in this study. Method: semi-structured focus group interviews in two Jordanian Universities Results: The study identified four themes focused on the experiences of these participants. Themes were attributes of clinical training placement, attributes of clinical instructors, attributes of clinical nursing curriculum and student’s attributes. The first theme had two subthemes “Structure and nature of clinical placement” and “Nurses’ collaboration”. Conclusion: The study recommendations are: nursing schools should plan students’ clinical experience taking into consideration the challenges associated with these attributes