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

Abstract

BackgroundClinical 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. ObjectivesTo analyze the influence of the socio-demographic variables of clinical educators and nursing students on satisfaction with the clinical practice. DesignThis was an observational, cross-sectional study. SettingsA clinical practice course at a private university in Valencia, Spain. ParticipantsThe study included 527 nursing students enrolled on the clinical practice, supervised by 187 clinical educators. MethodsTwo statistical methodologies were used for data analysis: hierarchical regression models (HRM) and fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis model (fsQCA). ResultsThe 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. ConclusionsAccording 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.