THE DIPLOMA NURSING STUDENTS' PERCEPTIONS TOW ARD THEIR CLINICAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

Abstract

Clinical learning is incorporated in the nursing curriculum to provide nursing stuci. nts with an opportunity to apply and practice the knowledge, skills and attitude they have learnt in the classroom. In facilitating the integration of theoretical knowledge into clinical practice, it is important to create a positive clinical learning environment. As clinical learning represents an essential element of n11rsing education, factors that affect its effectiveness need to be identified and further investigated. This study explored the perceptions of clinical learning environment between medical and surgical wards among the diploma nursing students. This study used SECEE tool by Sand-Jecklin consisted of 29 questions with four sub-scales: atmosphere of the wards, learning support by staff nurses, learning opportunity available in the wards and communication with staff nurses in the wards. Data analyzed by comparing the means of both medical and surgical wards showed that students perceived surgical wards (17.29) was more positive for clinical learning compared to medical wards ( 17 .88). The results of paired t-test showed there was no significant difference in students' perceptions of clinical learning environment between medical and surgical wards in terms of atmosphere of the wards (p=0.974), learning support provided by staff nurses (p=0.478) and learning opportunity available at both wards (p=0.212). However, there was a significant difference in perception of the nursing students towards medical and surgical wards in terms of communication with staff nurses (p=0.027). This research showed that providing positive clinical learning environment is perceived as essential for clinical learning of the diploma nursing students. In view of this, collaboration between faculty and hospital is important in building the supportive learning environment which contributes in producing qualified nurses with the requisite knowledge, attitude and skills.