Validation of the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Professions Education
• Clinical Learning Environments

Background:

• The clinical learning environment is crucial for nursing student development.
• Previous research on classroom learning environments informed the development of assessment tools.
• Understanding student perceptions is key to optimizing clinical placements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess preregistration nursing students' perceptions of their clinical learning environment.
• To validate the Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) for nursing education.
• To identify discrepancies between actual and preferred clinical learning environments.

Main Methods:

• A survey study involving 108 preregistration nursing students.
• Utilized the validated Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI).
• Statistical analysis to confirm reliability, validity, and identify significant differences.

Main Results:

• The CLEI demonstrated reliability and validity within the nursing student sample.
• Significant differences were found between students' actual and preferred clinical learning environments.
• Students perceived their actual clinical environment less favorably than their preferred environment.

Conclusions:

• Nursing students prefer a more positive and supportive clinical learning environment.
• The findings suggest a need to enhance clinical environments to better match student expectations.
• Aligning clinical environments with student preferences may improve educational outcomes and student satisfaction.