Student evaluation of a Clinical Self-Study Laboratory

Abstract

Introduction: Being clinically competent is an essential component of any nursing curricula to ensure that on completion the nursing graduates are able to practice safely and effectively as a nurse. Clinical Self-Study Laboratories have become increasingly popular in nursing education in recent years as a way of ensuring a variety of skills are taught to the nursing students. These clinical skills laboratories are used to teach communication and interpersonal skills, psychomotor skills, promote the development of collaborative skills required in nursing as well as being able to help integrate theory and practice [Morgan, R., 2006. Using clinical skills laboratories to promote theory-practice integration during first practice placement: an Irish perspective. Journal of Clinical Nursing 15, 155-161]. However, it is essential that these programs be subject to routine quality assurance and effectiveness evaluation.

Methodology: The purpose of the study was to conduct a process evaluation of the implementation of the Clinical Self-Study Laboratory (CSSL) in the School of Nursing, University of KwaZulu-Natal. The process evaluation included a descriptive quantitative satisfaction survey of first and third year Bachelor of Nursing students, a checklist to assess the quality of the CSSL equipment and a retrospective record review of utilisation of the CSSL by students.

Results: The CSSL appears to be well implemented and utilized by students. Students reported that it was accessible and that the equipment in the laboratory was of a reasonable quality. A few students reported dissatisfaction with some of the equipment and requested that more equipment and trained personnel be made available.