Nursing Students Perspectives of an Effective Clinical Learning Environment-A Qualitative Study

Background: All nurse educators unanimously agree that clinical competence is essential to fulfil the role of a professional nurse. Nursing student's perspectives on their clinical experience would provide greater insight in promoting a positive clinical learning environment. So the current aimed to explore the perspectives of nursing students regarding effective clinical learning environment.

Methods: Three focus group interviews were conducted among 15 students who were selected purposely from second, third and fourth year Nursing students. A qualitative data analysis technique was followed to arrive at the final themes.

Results: Six themes emerged from the qualitative analysis and they were 'inadequate clinical facilities', ' anxiety towards clinical experience', 'attitude of nursing staff towards students learning', 'theory-practice gap', 'lack of mentors' and 'professional role ambiguity' which hindered their effective clinical learning.

Conclusion: The study finding highlights the obstacles encountered by the students in clinical areas. This necessitates the nurse educators to re-examine and to use innovative clinical teaching strategies to promote an effective learning environment.