อาจารย์พยาบาลที่นักศึกษารู้สึกมีความสุข: เป็นสะพานไม่ใช่กำแพง Clinical nursing instructors who foster student happiness during their studies: Building a bridge not a wall

Abstract

Nursing as a practice–based profession requires clinical studies. Thus, learning amid clinical practice is important for competency development in nursing education. Understanding how nursing students perceive their clinical learning experience enhances the quality of clinical learning and furthers a positive attitude toward the nursing profession. This study is a part of a study that aims to understand nursing students’ experiences of clinical learning throughout the subject of “nursing practice II”. This paper aims to describe students’ perception of nursing teachers’ characteristics that enhance their clinical learning happiness. A qualitative approach was used. Data were collected using focus groups. Six focus groups were conducted with 48 second year nursing students. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings: The students described nursing teachers’ characteristics which enhance their clinical learning happiness including teaching from the heart and head, adult-centered learning, appropriate stimulation, provision of constructive feedback, competency in clinical settings and theory, and building a bridge between the teacher and student. Developing communication skills and constructive feedback are crucial in the growth of clinical nursing instructors.