Understanding Clinical Learning Experiences in Nursing Education: A Mauritian Perspective

Background: Clinical placements are an essential component of the nursing curriculum. The clinical learning of student nurses (SNs) can be influenced by several factors in the clinical learning environment (CLE). The multicultural and socioeconomic landscape of Mauritius, together with varying staffing and funding levels in the healthcare system, may pose unique challenges in how SNs learn in the clinical setting. Intrinsic factors related to personal motivation may also influence students’ experience. Research Gap: Research on clinical learning and CLEs is scant in Mauritius. No previous study has explored the perception of SNs and nurse preceptors regarding the CLE and the factors which influence the quality of clinical education in Mauritius. Additionally, most research about the quality of the CLE have explored the subject from the perspective of SNs, with little consideration to the views of nurse preceptors, who are involved in mentoring and supervising SNs. Significance: An understanding of the factors which nurse preceptors and SNs perceive to influence the quality of clinical learning will allow education providers and policymakers to enhance the quality of clinical learning in CLEs and positively impact nurse education in Mauritius. While exploring perspectives of the CLE by nurse preceptors and SNs, this study will further contribute to literature on the relevance of using the Theory of Human Relatedness as a framework to explore clinical learning. Methodology: Adopting an exploratory multiphase qualitative design, this study will employ a scoping review in Phase One to map existing literature and identify research gaps in the exploration of the factors in the CLEs which are perceived by nurse preceptors and SNs to influence clinical learning. Research Aim: This study aims to explore factors in the workplace environment that are perceived to influence the quality of learning during clinical placements in Mauritius Research Objective: 1. To explore the factors influencing CLEs of student nurses in Mauritius.