title: Best practice in clinical facilitation of undergraduate nursing students.
abstract: Clinical facilitation is critical to successful student clinical experience. The research reported in this paper used an interpretive case study to explore perspectives of clinical facilitators on what constitutes best practice in clinical facilitation of undergraduate nursing students. Eleven clinical facilitators from South East Queensland, Australia, participated in focus groups, interviews and a concept mapping exercise to gather their perspectives on best practice. The data gathered information regarding their prior and current experiences as registered nurses and facilitators, considering reasons they became clinical facilitators, their educational background and self-perceived adequacy of their knowledge for clinical facilitation. Analysis was through constant comparison. Findings of the study provided in-depth insight into the role of clinical facilitators, with best practice conceptualised via three main themes; 'assessing', 'learning to facilitate' and 'facilitating effectively'. While they felt there was some autonomy in the role, the clinical facilitators sought a closer liaison with academic staff and feedback about their performance, in particular their assessment of the students. Key strategies identified for improving best practice included educational support for the clinical facilitators, networking, and mentoring from more experienced clinical facilitators. When implemented, these strategies will help develop the clinical facilitators' skills and ensure quality clinical experiences for undergraduate nursing students.
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Logan Campus, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: j.needham@griffith.edu.au.
authors: Judith
authors: J
authors: Needham
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Gold Coast Campus, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Australia. Electronic address: a.mcmurray@griffith.edu.au.
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: McMurray
authors: School of Nursing and Midwifery, Nathan Campus, Menzies Health Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia; Department of Infection Control and Infectious Diseases, Gold Coast University Hospital and Health Service, Gold Coast, Australia. Electronic address: r.shaban@griffith.edu.au.
authors: Ramon Z
authors: RZ
authors: Shaban
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D007858:Learning; D008611:Mentors; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009726:Nurses; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011793:Queensland; D013192:Staff Development; D013338:Students, Nursing
keywords: Best practice; Clinical facilitation; Clinical practice; Nursing; Professional development