Clinical competence/clinical credibility

This paper offers a report of a small-scale research study undertaken by the author to investigate teachers' perceptions of clinical competence and credibility. To provide a balance of opinions, senior clinicians' views on the subject were also obtained. Historically, the topic of nurse teachers' clinical competence and credibility has received varying degrees of exposure in the nursing literature. The major changes facing nurse education in this climate of uncertainty may have been responsible for the interest that has emerged recently. The survey used the interview method to collect data on aspects of interpretation of terms, relevant skills and United Kingdom Central Council for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting recommendations related to clinical competence and clinical credibility. Similarities and differences of opinions which existed between the two groups of participants have been identified and discussed. Most clinical staff frequently made explicit reference to 'patients' in their answers, while there was no direct evidence of this in teachers' explanations.