Community health clinical learning experiences of student nurses in Eswatini: A qualitative study

Abstract

Learning experiences in the clinical environment are beneficial and essential but can be challenging, unpredictable, stressful, and  constantly changing. Understanding student nurses' clinical learning experiences during community nursing practice is essential in  advancing and supporting the student nurses' development, in terms of expertise and competencies. The experiences are also key in  providing improvement and changes in informing the current and future academic curricula and for better communication between  academic and clinical staff members as key role players. The aim of the study was to explore and describe community health clinical  learning experiences of student nurses in Eswatini. A qualitative exploratory, descriptive design was undertaken on eleven fourth-year  students enrolled for a degree in nursing in a university in Eswatini. The students were purposively selected to participate in the study.  Data were collected through individual face-to-face interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Thematic analysis was used to  analyse the data. The research yielded the following themes: 1) Pleasant clinical learning experiences, 2) integration of theory and  practice, 3) Clinical teaching and learning support, and 4) opportunities for enhancing community nursing practice. The study concluded  that conduciveness of the clinical learning environment determines the competency of the nurses trained. Therefore, professional nurses  and lecturers should play their capacity development and support required to facilitate learning. Ensuring that the nursing  curriculum is relevant and applicable to the clinical context and integrating theory and practice is crucial for developing competent  community nurses.