Abstract: Kenya is facing challenges of unsatisfactory clinical performance attributed to inadequate clinical incompetence’s among nursing students. Literature available locally indicate that the level of clinical perception of diploma nursing students to practice fully in clinical setting is low due to the ways they have been mentored, coached, supported and prepared for better clinical performance. The study was to determine factors that influence clinical performance of diploma nursing students in three Kenya Medical Training Colleges in Western Kenya. The study design was descriptive cross-sectional survey that used both quantitative and qualitative methods to collect information from the study population. The study participants were diploma nursing students in Kenya Medical Training Colleges in Western Kenya. A sample of 265 students was selected from a total population of 750 in three colleges. Pretesting of the data tool was done, informed consent and confidentiality maintained. Presentation of data was done in form of inferential statistics, frequency distribution and graphs. Quantitative data from the questionnaire was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) computer software (version 22.0) and qualitative data that was collected from focus group discussion was analyzed thematically. Results showed that clinical performance was rated at 56% as favorable, 26.1 % was perceived as unfavorable, while those unable to determine their perception (Not sure) were 41.5%. Majority of respondents 49.5% perceived theoretical knowledge preparation as favorable, while 35.6% perceived as unfavorable. those unable to determine their perception (Not sure) were 14.9%. On adequacy of clinical methods 57.9% was perceived as favorable and 42.1% as unfavorable. The results from qualitative data showed that students were not adequately prepared as they learned on their own. The study discussion identified poor student-staff relationships, shortage of clinical educators, insufficient resources and supplies. From these findings the following conclusions were drawn: Few studies have been done in the area of clinical performance among nursing students and of the few done the reported relationship between performance in theory courses and clinical practice courses were weak. Therefore, diploma nursing students in Kenya Medical Training Colleges in Western Kenya are inadequately prepared for the nursing profession. These findings may have implication on the Kenya Medical Training Colleges and Nursing Council of Kenya curriculums and policies on clinical training. A consistent and coordinated effort is recommended to ensure improvement in quality of clinical performance.
Keywords: Clinical Performance, Clinical learning environment, Experiential learning, Nurse Educator .
Title: Factors Influencing Clinical Performance of Diploma Nursing Students in Kenya Medical Training Colleges in Western Kenya
Author: Jedidah O. Kweya, Dr. Silvenus Ochieng Konyole, Dr. Maximilla Wanzala
International Journal of Healthcare Sciences
ISSN 2348-5728 (Online)
Research Publish Journals
