Relationship between Nursing Students’ Clinical Learning Environment Satisfaction, their Self-Efficacy and Academic Achievement

The clinical practice is the most significant element of nursing education, which must be
practiced in suitable setting. The worth of Clinical Learning Environment is a valid indicator to
confirm the value of nursing curriculum. The quality of patient care is only reasonable, if nursing staff
have acquired high quality of clinical training during their nursing education and their employment
years. Objective: Identify the relationship between nursing students’ Clinical Learning Environment
satisfaction, their self-efficacy, and academic achievement. Setting: Six clinical training Hospitals
namely: Alexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria New University Hospital, Alexandria
Students' University Hospital, El Shatby Pediatric Hospital, El Shatby Obstetric Hospital, and El
Maamoura Psychiatric Hospital. Subjects: Nursing students enrolled in different nursing courses and
affiliated to Faculty of Nursing – Alexandria University during their four consecutive academic years
were recruited in this study (n=324). Tools: Clinical Learning Environment Inventory (CLEI) and
College Academic Self-Efficacy Scale (CASES), and Personal Data Tool. Results: More than two
thirds of the students were satisfied with their Clinical Learning Environment. Statistically significant
positive correlation between Nursing students’ Clinical Learning Environment satisfaction, their Self-
Efficacy and Academic Achievement in nursing courses existed and also, between students’ study year
in nursing Faculty, Clinical training specialty, clinical training unit and Clinical Learning
Environment satisfaction. A statistically significant positive correlation was detected between
students’ age, study year in nursing Faculty, type clinical training hospitals, clinical training
specialty, type clinical training units and their levels of self-efficacy. Conclusion: Nursing students
highlighted negative areas that could be taken into consideration by the faculty members to enhance
the Clinical Learning Environment. There is statistically significant positive correlation between
Nursing students’ Clinical Learning Environment satisfaction, their Self-Efficacy and Academic
Achievement in nursing courses. Recommendations: Measurement of nursing students’ satisfaction
about the Clinical Learning Environment should be conducted in a compassionate and nonthreatening
manner. Staff development programs for clinical instructors are needed to promote their skills in
providing effective clinical training for nursing students. Opportunities should be allowed for nursing
students to express their opinions about effectiveness of Clinical Learning Environment. The clinical
instructors should assist nursing students to solve the problems facing them in the Clinical Learning
Environment.