EFFECTS OF CLINICAL EXPERIENCE IN THE NURSING STUDENT ATTITUDES TOWARD PEOPLE WITH PSYCHIATRIC DISABILITIES

Abstract

The choice of meaningful learning experiences becomes essential in basic Nursing education programs. The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of clinical experience in psychiatric services in Nursing students’ attitudes towards people with mental illnesses. A quasi-experimental design method of pre-test and post-test was used. The sample was made up of 84 third-year-nursing students from two universities in Santiago, Chile. All of the participants completed the Scale of Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons (SADP)-G. The strategies used in subjects of psychiatric nursing at both universities were regarded as  intervention. Student t test for related samples was performed. Results: Respondents reported statistically significant difference (p <0.05) in the post test, which is associated with learning experiences that consider contact with people with mental illness in any of including the clinical experience in the nursing training curriculum as a way of reducing negative attitudes of Nursing students, such as stigmatization, towards people with mental illnesses.of the different psychiatry network nodes and direct educational support. Conclusion: Validate the importance of including the clinical experience in the nursing training curriculum as a way of reducing negative attitudes of Nursing students, such as stigmatization, towards people with mental illnesses.