Nursing Degree students' perception about their clinical practice environment: a phenomenological study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Environment Studies
• Qualitative Research

Background:

• Clinical practice is integral to nursing education.
• Understanding student perceptions of the clinical environment is crucial for effective training.
• Previous research has not fully captured student experiences in diverse healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore fourth-year nursing students' perceptions of their clinical practice training environment.
• To identify key factors influencing student learning and professional development within healthcare settings.

Main Methods:

• Phenomenological qualitative study utilizing Gádamer's hermeneutical philosophy.
• Focus groups and semi-structured interviews conducted with fourth-year nursing students.
• Inductive analysis of transcribed data to identify emerging themes.

Main Results:

• Two primary categories emerged: influence of the clinical environment on nursing performance and student learning, and future training/job prospects.
• Subcategories detailed the impact of the clinical setting on nurse performance and student acquisition of skills.
• Student experiences and perceptions of the clinical training environment were comprehensively documented.

Conclusions:

• The study illuminates fourth-year nursing students' views on their clinical training environment.
• Findings can inform curriculum adaptation to address identified deficits in clinical learning.
• Understanding these perceptions is vital for preparing successful nursing professionals for future demands.