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Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to list 4 characteristics or techniques identified by nursing students as those used by effective clinical instructors.
Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify 2 ways that identified characteristics or techniques can be incorporated in the clinical setting.
Aim: To identify characteristics and teaching techniques of effective Clinical Instructors, that can be utilized or implemented by other instructors to improve the student nurse clinical experience.
Background: The clinical nursing experience is a vital component in the development process of the nursing student. The Clinical Instructor is an integral part of a quality clinical experience as well as charged with the task of aiding the student in transferring knowledge learned in the classroom to implementation at the bedside. Research has been done on this subject, but the more in depth understanding one has of student’s perceptions of teaching characteristics and techniques that best aid their comprehension will help instructors to maximize student learning.
Method: This was a qualitative research project utilizing the phenomenological research method. Three open-ended questions were posed to fifteen nursing students to identify the characteristics and teaching techniques they believe comprise an effective Clinical Instructor. Individual interviews were conducted until data saturation was achieved with sessions audio recorded to assure accuracy in reporting participant’s responses.
Findings: We found the participants identified clinical knowledge, approachability, communication, clear expectations and student quizzing as the most effective characteristics and techniques. The students found that they gained more knowledge, developed more critical thinking and felt more confident when these characteristics and techniques were utilized by their instructor.
Conclusion: Clinical Instructors play an important role in preparing the student nurse in becoming a competent bedside nurse. If instructors are willing to incorporate the characteristics and techniques identified in this study, they will be able to improve the nursing students learning in the clinical setting. This information can be used to provide a foundation in creating a class to educate nurse educators in ways of becoming a more effective Clinical Instructor.
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