NURSING STUDENTS’ PERCEPTION OF CLINICAL PRACTICE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Objective: To know the perception of third year students of the nursing program in the learning environment
of clinical practice during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Material and Methods: A qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in the academic year 2021-2022, from a university of Alicante, Spain. 15 third-year nursing students participated in the clinical practice-learning environment (5 practice modules of 17 days each) during the Covid-19 period and in primary and specialized care settings. An intentional sampling technique was used and the guiding questions were applied in semi-structured interviews until reaching saturation. The data were subjected to Bardin’s content analysis. Results: Participants expressed concerns about the perception of clinical practices during the Covid-19 pandemic, which allowed the establishment of a main
category called “to know”. From this main category, the following subcategories were developed: 1) Relationship with instructors, 2) Educational environment in the inpatient treatment room, 3) Role of the nurse educator, 4) Relationship with the supervisor and the clinical team, and 5) Nursing documentation. Conclusions: Students’ perceptions of the learning environment in the clinical practice can be considered acceptable, which reinforces the idea that clinical practice in a supportive environment can motivate students and help them acquire knowledge even in the period of the Covid-19 pandemic.