Preceptors' perspectives of an integrated clinical learning model in a mental health environment

Experiences of nursing students during their mental health clinical training at a general hospital in Namibia

BACKGROUND

 Clinical training is important because it constitutes more than half of the formal courses in nursing education. Accordingly, it is important for institutions of higher learning to continually explore the experiences of nursing students during their clinical placement. These experiences can be used to promote a positive clinical learning environment for students. However, the experiences of nursing students during their mental health clinical training in Namibia have not been extensively researched.

OBJECTIVES

 The aim of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of nursing students during their mental health clinical training at a general hospital in Namibia.

METHOD

 A qualitative, exploratory, descriptive and contextual research design was followed as the basis for conducting the study. A sample of 15 nursing students was conveniently selected from the target population of 73 nursing students. This sample size was determined by the saturation of data as reflected in repeating themes.

RESULTS

 The following three themes emerged: collating theory and mental health practice experiences, facing challenges in clinical placements, and recommendations to ensure effective learning about mental health.

CONCLUSION

 The use of a general hospital for clinical placements within an undergraduate nurse training course led to some concerns regarding the relevance and appropriateness of such experience within a nursing programme.Contribution: The findings have important implications for the training of undergraduate nursing students in general hospitals. It can be utilised to develop strategies to improve positive clinical practice placement and develop clinical skills for undergraduate nursing students in general hospitals.

A systematic review of preceptor's experience in supervising undergraduate nursing students: Lessons learned for mental health nursing

BACKGROUND

Preceptorship in nursing has been a valued concept in nursing. Speciality area such as mental health nursing has a massive gap in research study. To develop sturdy mental health nursing workforce, it is necessary to conduct more studies.

AIM

This literature review aims to explore preceptor's experience in precepting undergraduate nursing students in mental health.

DESIGN

Systematic review of literature.

METHODS

The systematic review was conducted from January 2021 to August 2021. Population of the studies included Registered Nurses supervising nursing students in the clinical area. Only studies conducted in English were included. A systematic search using EBSCO Host databases, CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE APA Psycinfo & APA PsycArticles, has been used in this review paper. Papers were also selected from the citation reference of included papers. The new version of the PRISMA 2020 guidelines used to represent the process of selection of papers has been incorporated as part of this review. The final set of data included 14 original papers meeting the eligibility criteria which involved quantitative (n = 5), qualitative (n = 4) and mixed-method studies (n = 5).

RESULT

Results were presented under three major themes: time-consuming, lack of recognition and need extra support. Further research is required in the mental health clinical setting to effectively explore the impact of relationships between preceptors and the preceptees.

CONCLUSION

Preceptors reported supervising students in the clinical area has many benefits. However, some challenges they raised were increase in workload, requiring some guidance and acknowledgement from the organization.

Undergraduate nursing student and preceptors' experiences of clinical placement through an innovative clinical school supervision model

This study explores final year undergraduate nursing and midwifery students and their preceptors' experiences of a newly introduced Clinical School Supervision (CSS) model, which was implemented to reduce a perceived disconnect between theory and practice. A descriptive design was used with qualitative data collected through open-ended survey questions. Respondents included 43 undergraduate nursing and midwifery students involved in the final year and 13 clinical preceptors from a large metropolitan tertiary health service in Victoria, Australia. Qualitative data were analysed using thematic analysis. Students described the CSS as a favoured supervision model with students being able to take advantage of support from both the academic supervisor and nursing staff in the clinical setting, a model which also supported student's sense of belonging. Students experiences indicated the CSS model facilitated consolidation of knowledge, reflective practice and transition to graduate nursing. The preceptors described a commitment to and preparedness for the role, although they found they had little break from teaching and their rosters did not always align with their students'. Preceptors also shared experiences of unfulfilled expectations, lack of recognition and incentives for supervising students. Further studies are needed to identify effective ways to support preceptors in their roles.

Undergraduate student nurses' perspectives of an integrated clinical learning model in the mental health environment

Providing nursing students with appropriate clinical practice during their undergraduate programme is critical to ensuring that graduates meet the competency requirements to gain registration as a nurse. In response to the predicted nursing workforce shortage, universities have been significantly increasing the enrolment of undergraduate nurses into Bachelor of Nursing courses. This has placed a demand on the availability of clinical placements and often universities struggle to find appropriate places. In this study, a Bachelor of Nursing course incorporated an Integrated Clinical Learning Model (ICLM) for the first time during a mental health placement. The model offered students the flexibility of attending their clinical placement over a 16-week period instead of a traditional block of 4 weeks. The aim of this study was to evaluate the student perspective of this model and whether it prepared them for the nursing workforce. Focus groups were conducted with undergraduate nursing students following their mental health clinical placement at an acute and extended care inpatient unit. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Main themes included preparedness for practice, maintaining a work-life balance, and perceiving they were part of a team. The ICLM deepened students' knowledge and had a positive impact on their overall clinical learning.