Students’ Perception of the Clinical Learning Environment in Clinical Education – Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: The Clinical Learning Environment (CLE) is where nursing students apply knowledge and skills for care and is essential for training. Students' perceptions of the CLE are crucial for assessing the quality of teaching and guiding the development of the educational system. This study, part of a wider investigation, aims to understand students' perceptions of the quality of CLE and Clinical Supervision during Clinical Education (CE) in the Nursing Degree course. Objective: To assess students' perceptions using the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision and Nurse Teacher Scale (CLES+T). Material and Methods: Quantitative, observational, cross-sectional and descriptive study, following STROBE guidelines. Data collection took place between 31 May and 12 July 2023 and involved 340 students from a nursing school in northern Portugal. The analysis used descriptive and inferential statistics, using IBM®SPSS Statistics. Results: The results in the CLES+T dimensions showed mean scores between 3.03 (‘relational component of the nursing teaching role’) and 4.09 (‘nursing care’). Significant correlations were found between the five dimensions, the strongest being between CLES+T and the ‘pedagogical atmosphere and supervisory relationship’ (r=0.8887) and the weakest being between the ‘head nurse's leadership style’ and the ‘relational component of the nursing teaching role’ (r=0.262). Conclusions: Students perceive the CLE as positive, with mean scores of ‘partially agree’. Environmental and relational characteristics are fundamental for an effective CLE.