Evaluating the learning environment of nursing students: A multisite cross-sectional study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Healthcare Learning Environments
• Student Experience

Background:

• Understanding student experiences in university and clinical settings is crucial for improving nursing education quality.
• Identifying facilitators and barriers to learning is essential for curriculum development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of their education environment.
• To identify facilitators and barriers impacting learning during university and clinical experiences.

Main Methods:

• A multi-site, cross-sectional survey was conducted with 891 undergraduate nursing students in Vietnam.
• Validated instruments, including the Dundee Ready Education Environment Measure (Nursing) and the modified Clinical Learning Environment Inventory, were used.
• Open-ended questions explored facilitators and barriers to clinical learning.

Main Results:

• The university learning environment was rated as needing improvement, with variations across institutions and study years.
• Second-year students reported significantly higher university environment scores than third or fourth-year students.
• Clinical environment scores were mid-range, with longer placements (>4 weeks) yielding higher scores. Positive factors included active teaching and interpersonal relationships.

Conclusions:

• Evaluating both university and clinical learning environments helps identify interruptions to nursing students' learning transfer.
• Interpersonal relationships with educators and staff are vital, similar to findings in Western countries.
• Unique features of the Vietnamese hospital environment presented barriers to learning transfer, highlighting the need for tailored educational strategies.