[Study of the learning climate in a nursing college]

A descriptive survey was undertaken to determine the learning climate with the focus on the psychological climate. Questionnaires were distributed amongst second, third and fourth year students that follow the Diploma in Nursing Leading to Registration as a Nurse (General, Psychiatric, Community) and Midwife. The results indicated that a positive learning climate is maintained to a great extent in the college and during structured clinical accompaniment. However there are some problems which impede maintenance of an optimal learning climate. The learning climate in health care units is inadequate. Accompaniment of students by tutors realize to a greater extent in the third and fourth years, but second year students identified problems in this regard. Second year students are of the opinion that their clinical tutors are not adequately available for accompaniment while they work in the health care services. Accompaniment by registered nurses is inadequate.