Role of Clinical Instructor in Supervision of Pre-Licensure Nursing Students: A Qualitative Enquiry

Clinical Instructor Supervision Roles

Abstract

The clinical education is vital to ensure clinical competence of nursing professionals and gradually train the nursing students. The role of clinical instructors considered to be crucial in clinical supervision of students. Thus, they have various responsibilities that must be identified. Objective: The study aims to identify the roles and responsibilities of the clinical instructors who help supervise nursing students’ training in educational institutions in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Methods: A descriptive exploratory design was used to identify the role of clinical instructors working in private and public institutions. The purposive sampling technique was used to recruit twelve clinical instructors in the study. For data collection, open-ended questionnaires and question guides were employed since they provide the utmost accuracy. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis. Results:  It also identified the roles, nature and factors that influence clinical instructors and their supervision of the students. Specific means accounted for were implementing links between theory and practice, controlling and guiding students, demonstrating professional behavior, being proactive in delivering feedback about the students, and prompt patient care. Moreover, the teaching competence; professional and ethical practices; and clinical expertise were identified as important characteristics of clinical instructors. Conclusions: Therefore, it has been realized that several facilitating and constraining factors affect clinical instructors in the course of their work in the working organization or their own personal factors related to student factors.  The study findings may be utilized to strengthen the role of clinical instructors, and to improve the quality of clinical education.