Factors in the clinical learning environment that influence caring behaviors of undergraduate nursing students: An integrative review

Abstract

Aim: The aim is to explore literature on the influence of the clinical learning environment on caring behaviors of undergraduate nursing students.

Background: Caring is a fundamental aspect of nursing practice. However, factors of and in clinical learning environment that help shape the caring behaviors of nursing students as part of their education journey remain understudied.

Design: A modified version of Cooper's five-stage integrative review method was used.

Methods: Four databases (Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed, Scopus and Embase) were searched for research studies published from 2011 to 2021 in peer reviewed journals, written in English and addressing caring behaviors among nursing students in the clinical learning environment. A combination of keywords with Boolean operators was used including: "nursing students OR nursing undergraduates OR student nurses" and "clinical learning environment" AND "caring behaviors". Reporting followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement guidelines.

Results: Empirical evidence was drawn from 11 studies including seven qualitative designs, three quantitative designs and one mixed method design. The results of this review suggest that factors in the clinical learning environment influence nursing students' ability to develop caring behaviors. Specifically, the five themes of: [1] role modeling of clinical faculty and professional nurses, [2] creating a conducive clinical learning environment, [3] effective communication skills, [4] positive effect of simulation and [5] alternative clinical placements may facilitate the development of caring behaviors among nursing students.

Conclusion: The findings highlight the factors in the clinical learning environment that influence nursing students' caring behaviors. Improving students' clinical learning experiences and implementing more effective role modeling and teaching strategies may advance their caring abilities. The information generated from this review provides evidence on how to enhance the clinical learning environment to develop students' caring behaviors, subsequently leading to more optimal patient outcomes.

Keywords: Caring behaviors; Clinical learning environment; Clinical placement; Communication; Nursing students; Role modeling; Simulation.