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

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nClinical 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.\n\n\nOBJECTIVES\nTo analyze the influence of the socio-demographic variables of clinical educators and nursing students on satisfaction with the clinical practice.\n\n\nDESIGN\nThis was an observational, cross-sectional study.\n\n\nSETTINGS\nA clinical practice course at a private university in Valencia, Spain.\n\n\nPARTICIPANTS\nThe study included 527 nursing students enrolled on the clinical practice, supervised by 187 clinical educators.\n\n\nMETHODS\nTwo statistical methodologies were used for data analysis: hierarchical regression models (HRM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis model (fsQCA).\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe 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.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nAccording 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.