Assessing the Effectiveness of Clinical Rotations in Preparing Undergraduate Nursing Students for Practice: Mixed Study

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this mixed-methods research study is to assess the effectiveness of clinical rotations in preparing undergraduate nursing students for practice at Ninevah Nursing College, Iraq by combining quantitative and qualitative approaches. Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used to collect data from a convenience sample (100) of undergraduate nursing students. A survey was conducted to obtain quantitative data, while qualitative data was obtained through focus groups. Descriptive and thematic analyses were employed to analyze the data. Results: The results revealed that clinical rotations were perceived to be valuable in developing clinical skills. However, there were gaps in the student's preparation for the emotional demands of nursing practice, navigating complicated patient interactions, and managing workload. The findings suggest a need for nursing programs to ensure that clinical rotations provide a more comprehensive preparation for the realities of nursing practice. This can be achieved through a structured approach, including debriefing sessions and opportunities for reflection, and ensuring that students have exposure to a range of patient populations and healthcare settings. Conclusion: Clinical rotations are essential for nursing students to apply their theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting. The study findings indicate that there is a need for nursing programs to enhance the effectiveness of clinical rotations in preparing students for the realities of nursing practice. Implementing a structured approach to clinical rotations and ensuring exposure to diverse patient populations and healthcare settings can help bridge the gaps in nursing education.