[Effect of the nursing staff associate model on nursing students' clinical learning]

ABSTRACT

Clinical education is one of the most important ingredients of nursing curriculum. Inadequacies in nursing skills are main concerns of nursing students. Therefore, the application of new teaching methods is essential to improve the quality of clinical education. The Clinical Education Associate Method [CEAM], using the collaboration of nursing staff is a strategy for clinical education. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of the nursing staff associate model on nursing students' clinical learning. This was a quasi-experimental study. 40 nursing students were randomly and equally assigned into two groups. The students in the experiment group were trained by nursing staff during clinical education, while the students in the control group received the routine education. The clinical skills of the students were assessed using a checklist. Collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. The students in both groups were the same in terms of demographic characteristics. The students in the experiment group received better marks in clinical skills such as medication, communication with patients, isolation methods, and dressing in comparison with the students in the control group [P<0.05]. In the nursing staff associate model, students interact with each other and will be able to communication better, and their self-esteem is improved. Moreover, the level of learning in such students is higher in comparison with students taught using the routine method. Therefore, the widespread application of this model in nursing and other healthcare disciplines are suggested