Clinical supervision of nursing students: challenges and alternatives

Abstract

Clinical supervision is described as a formal process of professional learning support in the clinical practice. The goal of clinical practice is to prepare nursing students develop and apply the necessary theoretical and empirical knowledge and skills in order for them to practice as safely and effectively as professional nurses. Accordingly, the clinical environment is vital to the nursing education for the achievement of clinical learning outcomes, including enhancement of the students' competence. It is conceded that professionalism even among student nurses can increase the clients' acceptance and trust and thus provides more opportunities for students to practice such activities as history taking, physical examination, nursing procedures, and communication with the clients. This paper describes the views of the authors who have served as student nurse supervisors, as pertains to clinical supervisory challenges and possible models for enhancement of support for student nurses in Rwanda.

Clinical learning environment and supervision: satisfaction levels of University of Rwanda Students

“…[6] After the 1994 genocide against Tutsis, nursing education at the secondary level was replaced by education in academic institutions. [7,8] Habimana and colleagues [9] provided a comprehensive assessment of the different teaching models in Rwanda. Currently, clinical teaching utilises the facilitation/supervision model, in which facilitators are university-employed faculty and responsible for both students' summative and formative clinical assessments, and involving simulation in the skills laboratory to develop practical skills.…”

“…Currently, clinical teaching utilises the facilitation/supervision model, in which facilitators are university-employed faculty and responsible for both students' summative and formative clinical assessments, and involving simulation in the skills laboratory to develop practical skills. [9] As nursing education evolved, the clinical settings continued to be recognised as essential areas for students to develop competencies at various health facilities. [5] Health facilities are learning environments whereby clinicians, patients, mentors and nurse educators collaborate to ensure clinical teaching and learning.…”

Clinical Supervision by Staff Nurses; A Controversial Issue in Nursing Education - Views of Students and Staff Nurses

“…ratio' are few challenges, staff nurses' face while supervising nurse students (Habimana et al, 2016).…”

“…The students may have the opportunity to learn skills in the clinical areas, one cannot guarantee their satisfaction in learning (Papastavrou et al, 2016). Habimana, et al (2016) mentioned that the lack of supervising training to staff nurses may hinder the clinical supervision and heavy patient load gives them little time to supervise.…”