Andrea Pusey-Murray
University of Technology, Jamaica
Title: Assessing the Nursing Students’ Perceptions of their Clinical Experience in Hospitals in Two Parishes in Jamaica
Biography
Biography: Andrea Pusey-Murray
Abstract
Background. In nursing programmes, students are exposed to both theoretical and clinical components. Hence, the students in this study are required to complete a seven-week clinical practicum in a hospital setting. This course is designed to provide an opportunity for nursing students to put into practice the theoretical knowledge learnt in their training. This study was designed to assess the perceptions of nursing students about their clinical practice experience.
Methods. An ex-post-facto design was used in the study. A purposeful sampling method was used to select 107 (3 males & 104 females) students who were enrolled in four-degree nursing programme. Data were collected through the use of a questionnaire which had a reliability coefficient of .87.
Results. The results showed that 66 (62%) of those surveyed, reported being nervous during the first few weeks as a result of not having enough practice, not knowing what to expect, and fear of being assessed. Fifty-two (49%) experienced transportation-related, and 38 (36%) had issues working with nurses in the hospitals. There was a high level of agreement for these items: finding the clinical experience valuable (M = 4.35, SD = .76), learning a lot from the clinical assignment (M = 4.17, SD = .89), and feeling confidence while in the ward (M = 4.13, SD = .82). Seventy-four (69%) indicated that they would remain in the nursing profession after their training.
Conclusion. Based on the findings, recommendations were made on how to address some of the problems encountered by the students during the clinical session, and the need to promote the intrinsic values of becoming a nurse and remaining in the profession.
Keywords: Nursing Students, Clinical Experience Remaining in Nursing