CLINICAL EXPERIENCES: MILESTONES IN NURSING EDUCATION

Abstract

This is a qualitative phenomenological study aimed to explore and describe the lived clinical experiences of Levels II, III and IV nursing students of the University of Northern Philippines. Eighteen students were selected as participants through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through individual unstructured interviews and focus group discussions and analyzed following the Colaizzi’s process. Three main themes with their corresponding subthemes emerged from this study: 1) Teaching and Learning Support comprising clinical supervision, mentors and role modeling interplay with theory and practice, 2) Clinical Practice that resulted to character and values development, clinical responsibility, competency enhancement and anxiety and stress. The students likewise developed self-confidence, enjoyed and appreciated clinical practice; and 3) Interpersonal Relations centered on the attitude of staff nurses, doctors, clinical instructors, students’ emotions, and coping strategies. The participants perceived some of their Clinical instructors (CIs) as role models who helped them hone their competency skills and developed moral values. They encountered stresses that greatly affected their personal life and academic performance. To adequately prepare students for clinical practice, orientation procedures must be strengthened; the CIs should serve as role models not only in thought and in words but also in deed; pre and post conferences should be conducted regularly to promote meaningful and inspiring clinical experiences. The findings should be disseminated to the affiliating agencies and further studies be conducted on students’ clinical experiences in the community.