Effects of Intensive Clinical Training for Nursing Students in Nursing Practice on their Clinical Competence, State Anxiety, and Clinical Practice Stress

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a intensive clinical training program for nursing practice on the clinical competence, state anxiety, clinical practice stress in nursing students who were beginning their first clinical practice. Methods: This practice has been processed as a 'Pre-Post design with a non-equivalent control group'. The participants were 177 students in a college of nursing. The students were divided into two groups: 89 students in the experimental group and 88 students in the control group. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvement in their clinical competence scores compared to the control group. The difference between the two groups was also significant. State anxiety in the experimental group significantly decreased compared to the control group. However, scores for stress during practice were not significantly different. Conclusion: The findings in this research reveal that the program, 'Close clinical practice training for nursing students' practice entry, contributes to improving students' overall ability and performance, and reduces anxiety of nursing students as they start their first clinical practice. These findings can be utilized in helping nursing students improve the quality of their performance.