Applying the social cognitive model of well-being in the nursing clinical practicum: A structural equation modeling analysis with a Spanish student’s sample

Abstract

BackgroundClinical education, understanding as practicum, plays a key role in nursing education but has been identified as the most challenging and stressful experience for nursing students. Promoting student satisfaction and well-being during clinical practice has a significant effect on learning outcomes, retention and attrition. ObjectivesTo examine the predictive power of a social cognitive model of wellbeing when applied to explain academic satisfaction in the clinical practicum and overall life satisfaction of Spanish nursing students. Design/participantsA cross-sectional correlational study was conducted at four Spanish nursing schools in a 586 student's sample. MethodsData were collected through a self-reported questionnaire that included measures of academic support, self-efficacy, goal progress, academic satisfaction, life satisfaction and trait positive affect. The research model was evaluated through structural equation modeling. ResultsThe proposed model fit well in the full sample and accounted for substantial portions of the variance in academic (50%) and life satisfaction (21%). Most of the hypotheses formulated were verified. The model was invariant across academic year. ConclusionsThe results indicated global support for the social cognitive model of academic satisfaction as a guide for developing interventions to facilitate the positive adjustment and wellbeing of nursing students in the practicum.