Satisfaction with the clinical practice among nursing students using regression models and qualitative comparative analysis

• Published in: Nurse education today 2021-05, Vol.100, p.104861-104861, Article 104861
• Main Authors: Fernández-García, David, Moreno-Latorre, Esther, Giménez-Espert, María del Carmen, Prado-Gascó, Vicente
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Clinical medicine; Clinical nursing; Clinical training; College students; Comparative analysis; Data Analysis; Grade 2; Higher education; Human resources management; Learning environment; Nursing; Nursing care; Nursing education; Nursing Students; Professional practice; Quality of care; Quantitative research; Satisfaction; Sociodemographics; Students; Supervisor development
• ISSN: 0260-6917; 1532-2793
• DOI: 10.1016/j.nedt.2021.104861

Clinical practice is considered fundamental in nursing studies for the effective education of nurses and students' satisfaction. Both the clinical environment and the clinical educator are key factors in students´ satisfaction. To analyze the influence of the socio-demographic variables of clinical educators and nursing students on satisfaction with the clinical practice. This was an observational, cross-sectional study. A clinical practice course at a private university in Valencia, Spain. The study included 527 nursing students enrolled on the clinical practice, supervised by 187 clinical educators. Two statistical methodologies were used for data analysis: hierarchical regression models (HRM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis model (fsQCA). The results indicate that sociodemographic variables such as sex, being a woman, and being in the second grade year group, influence student satisfaction in both methodologies. According to our results, establishing specific academic plans for students in higher years (3rd and 4th) could improve nursing students' satisfaction with their clinical practice. Adequate training of students is a key factor in the provision of high-quality nursing care. •The clinical environment and the clinical educator are key in nursing students' satisfaction with clinical practice.•Regression models and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis models, were used.•No previous studies evaluate clinical practice from the perspective of the students’ satisfaction.•Sex, being a woman, and being in second grade predict levels of satisfaction with clinical practice.