Knowledge and Attitude Towards Nursing Clinical Preceptorship Among Nurse Educators Working In Teaching Institutions In Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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Date
2015-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Background: Despite being a primary target of nursing education, clinical skills are still major
areas of concern among students and novice graduates alike. Clinical preceptorship in nursing is a
teaching and guidance program where students are paired with an experienced nurse in the clinical
environment to equip them with clinical skills and nursing values. Since nurse educators are one
of the primarily responsible bodies for its effective implementation and eventual success, this study
assessed their knowledge and attitude towards clinical preceptorship.
Objectives: To assess the knowledge and attitude towards nursing clinical preceptorship among
nurse educators working in teaching institutions in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Methods: The study was conducted in Addis Ababa and used an institution-based descriptive
cross-sectional study method mixed with qualitative approaches. 109 nurse educators participated
in the quantitative data gathering while an in-depth interview with five participants involved in
nursing education was used for qualitative data gathering.
Results: Among the educators, 43.1% were found to be knowledgeable about nursing clinical
preceptorship and its concepts whereas 96.3% had favorable attitude towards clinical
preceptorship. A statistically significant association was found between the knowledge of
educators towards preceptorship and their educational qualifications together with their teaching
experiences. In-depth interviews revealed the existence of a theory-practice gap while shortage of
facilities for clinical practice were the main challenges for clinical teachings. Role of nurse
educators in clinical practice was also reported to be minimal.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Less than half of the educators were found to have adequate
knowledge towards nursing clinical preceptorship whereas the outlook towards it remains almost
exclusively favorable. Additionally, clinical practical attachments of students is faced with a
variety of challenges. Teaching institutions should focus on enhancing clinical skills of students
and alleviate the problems it faces while hospitals and healthcare institutions should play their part
in producing competent nursing workforce. Further studies related to clinical preceptorship and
related matters is highly recommended.
Keywords: Clinical Preceptorship, Clinical practice, Nurse Educator, Preceptor, Knowledge,
Attitude
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Keywords
Clinical Preceptorship, Clinical practice, Nurse Educator, Preceptor, Knowledge