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

Abstract

Background: 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.

Objectives: To analyze the influence of the socio-demographic variables of clinical educators and nursing students on satisfaction with the clinical practice.

Design: This was an observational, cross-sectional study.

Settings: A clinical practice course at a private university in Valencia, Spain.

Participants: The study included 527 nursing students enrolled on the clinical practice, supervised by 187 clinical educators.

Methods: Two statistical methodologies were used for data analysis: hierarchical regression models (HRM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis model (fsQCA).

Results: 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.

Conclusions: 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.

Keywords: Higher education; Learning environment; Quantitative research; Satisfaction; Supervisor development.