Nursing Students’ Reflections on the Clinical Learning environment of the Oncology Unit: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: The clinical learning environment is an important part of nursing education with a significant impact on nursing students’ perceptions and experiences. This study aimed to explore nursing students› reflections to determine the effects of the first rotation in the clinical learning environment of the oncology unit on their perceptions and practices.Methods: A descriptive qualitative study design was used. Data were collected using reflective diaries of forty 5th-semester nursing students about their experiences of learning in the oncology unit. Conventional content analysis was used for data analysis using MAXQD 10 software.Results: Participants’ perceptions of the clinical learning environment of the oncology unit were categorized into four main categories, namely challenging encounters, perceived needs, internal transcendence, and professional role development.Conclusion: According to the results, nursing students’ unpleasant experiences must be managed. Careful attention should be devoted to the unique characteristics of this ward. Different educational strategies are needed, and clinical instructors must play their roles as facilitators in challenging conditions to promote nursing students’ clinical learning in oncology.

Keywords

• oncology nursing
• nursing students
• clinical education
• learning