Nursing Students’ Experiences in Providing Patient Education in the Clinical Setting

Abstract

Background: Patient education is associated with reduced hospital readmission rates, lower patient anxiety, and improvement in quality of life. Although nursing students report feeling ill-prepared and less confident in educating their patients in clinical settings, few studies have assessed their perspectives on this topic.Method: This study explores the perceived challenges, obstacles, self-efficacy, and preparedness of undergraduate nursing students in providing patient education by collecting qualitative data through focus group discussions (FGDs).Results: Five major themes emerged from the FGDs: significance of patient education, nursing process in providing patient education, evolving sense of preparation, evolving sense of confidence, challenges/barriers to providing patient education. While all interviewed nursing students felt that patient education was a vital nursing responsibility, advanced students had more confidence and knowledge regarding this responsibility.Conclusion: Understanding the nursing student experience in patient education preparedness may aid nursing instructors in better tailoring nursing curricula and support to meet their students' needs.