Association between quality of ward nursing care and students' assessment of the ward as a learning environment

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore the association between the characteristics of a ward and its evaluation as a learning environment by students. The data were collected using a structured questionnaire in one college of nursing in southern Finland. Respondents were 162 second- and third-year students enrolled on a three-and-a-half year nursing programme. The quality of nursing care correlated strongly with the quality of the nursing environment. The method and implementation of the supervisory relationship was also a signifant factor in students' assessment of the ward as a learning environment. The role of staff nurses as mentors was very important. Clinical supervision is not only important in nurse education; it is also closely interwoven with nursing care in clinical wards in general.