Challenging clinical learning environments: experiences of undergraduate nursing students.
Clinical learning is an essential component of becoming a nurse. However at times, students report experiencing challenging clinical learning environments (CCLE), raising questions regarding the nature of a challenging clinical learning environment, its impact on students' learning and how students might respond within a CCLE. Using an Interpretive Descriptive study design, researchers held focus groups with 54 students from two Canadian sites, who self-identified as having experienced a CCLE. Students defined a CCLE as affected by relationships in the clinical area and by the context of their learning experiences. CCLE decreased students' learning opportunities and impacted on them as persons. As students determined which relationships were challenging, they tapped other resources and they used strategies to rebuilt, reframe, redirect and/or retreat relative to the specific challenge. Relationships also acted as buffers to unsupportive practice cultures. Implications for practice and research are addressed.
McMaster University, Faculty of Health Sciences 2J31, 1280 Main Street West, Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4K1, Canada. Electronic address: omara@mcmaster.ca.
Linda
L
O'Mara
BScN Program Conestoga College, Canada. Electronic address: jmcdonald@conestogac.on.ca.
Jane
J
McDonald
British Columbia Institute of Technology, Canada. Electronic address: Mary_Gillespie@bcit.ca.
Mary
M
Gillespie
University of British Columbia, Canada. Electronic address: Helen.Brown@nursing.ubc.ca.
Helen
H
Brown
BScN Program Mohawk College, Canada. Electronic address: lynn.miles@mohawkcollege.ca.
Lynn
L
Miles
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000592:standards*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D018794:Problem-Based Learning / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
Clinical educator; Clinical learning environment; Faculty–student relationships; Student perceptions