Nursing students’ errors in clinical learning. Qualitative outcomes in Mixed Methods Research

Abstract

Objective: to analyze factors associated with nursing students’ errors during clinical learning, and their perceptions regarding these events and the opportunity for learning and development provided by them. Method: Convergent Mixed Method design according Creswell and Clark. Qualitative dimension included face to face and internet interviews. Data analysis followed Miles and Huberman method. Results: Nursing student’s errors were revealed according to their perceptions. They occurred in all phases of the nursing process and in transversal skills. Errors were acknowledged as learning and developmental opportunities. Final considerations: Students acknowledged their errors and ascribe to themselves reasons and what could have prevented what happened. Mixed Method was a very adequate design to study phenomena. Qualitative dimension was essential to reveal and achieve the objectives. Suggestions founded on the findings are presented.