title: An evaluation of a structured learning program as a component of the clinical practicum in undergraduate nurse education: A repeated measures analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There is evidence that nursing students experience stress and anxiety and a reduction in self-efficacy when undertaking clinical placements. Previous reports have identified that a structured three-day program within the Bachelor of Nursing (BN) clinical practicum reduces the students self-report of anxiety and increases self-efficacy. However, it is unreported whether these improved outcomes are sustained for the duration of the clinical placement.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the duration of the effect of a three-day structured learning program within the clinical placement on final year Bachelor of Nursing student's report of anxiety and self-efficacy pre- and post-program participation in this intervention and following completion of the clinical practicum.
  
  
  METHODS
  A repeated measures design.
  
  
  METHODS
  University-based Clinical School of Nursing, acute care clinical practicum.
  
  
  METHODS
  Final year Bachelor of Nursing students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The intervention comprised the three-day program on starting the clinical practicum. A questionnaire included the anxiety subscale of The Hospital Anxiety & Depression Scale (The HAD) and the General Self-Efficacy Scale (GSES-12). The questionnaire was completed on day one (time one), upon completion of the three-day program (time two) and upon completion of placement on day 18 (time three).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The questionnaire response rate varied over time. There was a statistically significant effect in reducing anxiety over time: F(1.73,74.46)=25.20, p<0.001 and increasing self-efficacy over time F(1.32,41.04)=7.72, p<0.004.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first report that we are aware of that has measured final year Bachelor of Nursing student's report of both anxiety and self-efficacy over repeated measures of time. Students continue to benefit from a structured learning program and the benefit of the intervention is sustained for the clinical placement duration.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Level 4 Austin Tower, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Electronic address: e.watt@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Watt
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Level 4 Austin Tower, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Electronic address: maria.murphy@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Level 4 Austin Tower, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Electronic address: Lee.MacDonald@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: MacDonald
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Level 4 Austin Tower, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Electronic address: e.pascoe@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pascoe
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Level 4 Austin Tower, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Electronic address: Heather.Storen@austin.org.au.
authors.forename: Heather
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Storen
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing & Midwifery, La Trobe University, Level 4 Austin Tower, PO Box 5555, Heidelberg, VIC 3084, Australia. Electronic address: a.scanlon@latrobe.edu.au.
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scanlon
mesh_terms: D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Anxiety; Clinical placement; Nursing education; Self-efficacy