Nursing Clinical Instructors' Perspectives on Clinical Learning Environment Challenges: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background and Aim: The clinical instructorsplay an essential role in the clinical learning environment by providing students with the important nursing skills. Therefore, this study aims to discover clinical instructors’ perspective about the challenges in the clinical learning environment. Method: A qualitative descriptive content analysis study design and semi-structured interview tool was used; the participants were 12 clinical nursing instructors who  were selected purposively  with  a work experience of 7 − 18 years , earned MSc and PhD degrees and recruited from Nineveh governorate colleges of nursing. The data transcripts were analysed by using qualitative content analysis. Results: Four challenges emerged: (i) Ineffective clinical instruction; (ii) Ineffective clinical administration; (iii) Ministerial challenges; and (iv) Student related challenges. These challenges revealed clinical nursing instructors' difficulties in balancing their competency, good administration, ministerial factors and student competency. Conclusion: The identified challenges reflect the need to improve the quality of education and to create qualified nurse professionals, it may be important for students to be properly prepared, to choose the optimal clinical setting that meets the purpose, and to receive adequate teaching, advice, and supervision.