A descriptive study to assess the level of challenges in clinical learning environment faced by nursing students of Rayat Bahra College of Nursing, Mohali

Abstract

Background: Clinical education requires creating a supportive atmosphere for learners and nursing students, who need support to be prepared for their future profession. Nursing students are facing a series of challenges progressively in the clinical practice as well as in the education system. Most of the challenges of the supporting students included problems that are related to students, instructor, staff, patient, hospital facilities. The influence of these challenges is on their learning and practice skills. The findings of this study shows that nursing students face many challenges in the clinical learning environment. The focus of all study was on the student. The participants of the studies were 200 undergraduate nursing students Therefore, the managers of educational and health care centers should give a high priority to their students to support them. Aim of the study:The aim of the study was to assess the level of challenges in clinical learning environment faced by nursing students. Materials and Methods: A Quantitative approach and a descriptive Research Design were used in the study. 200 samples of nursing students were selected by using convenient sampling technique from students of Rayat Bahra College of Nursing Mohali. Self -structured Likert scale was used for data collection and analysis was done by using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results:The study shows that levels of challenges were categorized into three degrees: higher degree of challenges (112-150), medium degree of challenges (71-111), and low degree of challenges (30-70). Most students fall into the category of medium degree of challenges (52.5% or 105 individuals), while a significant number of students faced higher degree of challenges (45.5% or 91 individuals), and only a few encounter low degree of challenges (2% or 4 individuals). The maximum score was 150 and the minimum was 30, indicating the range of possible scores in the study. As a result it was clear that this data suggests that the majority of individuals experience a moderate level of challenges in clinical learning environment. Conclusion:The study concludes that nursing students experiences a moderate level of challenges in instructor related area in clinical learning environment. There are considerable challenges that nursing students face in clinical learning environment that can affect their practice and learning. It is essential to plan and improve student's clinical supervision and support at clinical learning environment by their instructors to create skillful nursing students and minimize their challenges. Therefore there should be adequate orientation and ongoing follow-up for students before internship by instructors.