FACTORS INFLUENCING THE APPLICATION OF THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE INTO CLINICAL NURSING PRACTICE AMONG NURSING STUDENTS IN MADONNA UNIVERSITY
Abstract
The focus of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the application of theoretical knowledge into clinical nursing practice among nursing students in Madonna University, Elele, Rivers state. Three specific objectives and research questions were formulated to guide the study. The target population comprised of nursing students in their third, fourth and fifth year of study. The researcher made use of a descriptive survey design using a self-designed questionnaire for data collection. The data was descriptively summarized with the use of frequency, percentages and tables. On administrative factors, majority of the respondents (90.5%) agreed that teachers in the school are enough to handle the subjects in the school and (90.9%) agreed that the laboratory has a large space for all the students to observe what is being taught. On training factors, majority of the respondents (70.2%) agreed that school laboratory has enough equipment that can enable many students to practice procedures during the same period and only (17.8%) agreed that the school has practical demonstration laboratory for students’ clinical practice. On students’ factors, majority of the respondents (90%) agreed that students do repeat demonstration after teacher’s own teaching during each procedure; and 94.1% agreed that the students make use of the equipment in the school laboratory for clinical practice on their own. From the study, it can be concluded that administrative, training/supervisory and students’ factors affect the application of theoretical knowledge into clinical nursing practice. Based on the findings, it was recommended that adequate experienced and qualified nurse educators and clinical instructors should be employed and maintained by the competent authorities. Proper supervision of students should be advocated. N&MCN to provide a clearly written standard guidelines and polices on clinical training of nursing students.
Keywords: application, theoretical knowledge, clinical nursing practice, nursing students
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