The relationship between nursing instructors' clinical teaching behaviors and nursing students' learning in Tabriz University of Medical Sciences in 2016

Abstract

Clinical teaching is at the core of the nursing profession. However, clinical teaching may not empower students to gain clinical competency and skills. In this context, the performance of instructors is one of the main determinants of effective clinical teaching. Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the relationship between nursing instructors' clinical teaching behaviors and students' learning. This descriptive, correlational study was conducted with 267 nursing students selected through convenience sampling. The data were collected using the Nursing Clinical Teacher Effectiveness Inventory, developed by Knox and Morgan. The questionnaire included two parts: the extent to which nursing instructors used teaching behaviors and the effectiveness of these behaviors on students' learning. The data were entered into the SPSS statistical software, version 19, and were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics and the Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results showed a significant positive relationship between the extent to which nursing instructors used teaching behaviors and the effectiveness of these behaviors on students' learning (P = 0.001). In terms of the utilization of teaching behaviors, the highest average rates were related to the dimensions of interpersonal relations and teaching abilities, while the lowest average rates were found for the evaluation dimension. With regard to the effectiveness of these teaching behaviors on learning, the dimensions of teaching ability and evaluation gained the highest and lowest average rates, respectively. Instructors' capabilities have to be improved regarding the effective utilization of some behaviors related to evaluation, personal characteristics, and nursing competency. In this respect, the use of comprehensive teaching programs can be quite beneficial.