Clinical accompaniment in community nursing.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate student nurses' perceptions of practical accompaniment at community health clinics.


METHODS
A descriptive study was conducted using a convenient sample of third- and fourth-year baccalaureate nursing students. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 49 students on their perceptions of clinical accompaniment, interpersonal relations with the preceptor and educational strategies in clinical teaching.


RESULTS
Forty nine students returned the completed questionnaires, giving a response rate of 93 per cent. Respondents expressed mainly positive feelings on the roles of the preceptor during accompaniment.


CONCLUSIONS
There were slight differences in the responses given by third-year students and those of fourth-year students. In general, students indicated that there was open communication between them and preceptors, and that they were satisfied with the educational strategies used by preceptors in clinical teaching.
Setswe
Geoffrey
G
National School of Public Health, Medical University of Southern Africa, Pretoria. gsetswe@hotmail.com
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D003142:Communication; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000592:standards; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology; D024802:Nurse's Role; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000592:standards*; D013019:South Africa; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires