The Clinical Learning Environment of Intensive Care Unit as Perceived by International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) Undergraduate Nursing Students

Background: Clinical learning environment (CLE) is an environment in which any person who could influence the care of a patient learns. The CLE affects the effectiveness of clinical practicum that is a significant part of the nursing curriculum. However, there are limited studies that focus on the CLE of the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Objectives: To assess the nursing students’ perception of the clinical learning environment of ICU, and to determine the associated socio-demographic characteristic with the clinical learning environment of ICU. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted via purposive sampling at Kulliyyah of Nursing, IIUM Kuantan. The Adopted Students Evaluation of Clinical Education Environment (SECEE) version 3 questionnaire was used to assess the students’ perception of CLE of ICU within three subscales (instructor facilitation of learning (IFL), preceptor/staff nurse facilitation of learning (PFL) and learning opportunities (LO)). Results: A total of 141 nursing students participated in this study. Based on the mean score, the students have a positive perception of the CLE of ICU (79.41%). The subscale IFL was the most positively perceived (84.44%) followed by subscale LO (77.49%) and subscale PFL (75.64%). There was a significant difference seen for subscale LO between gender (p-value=0.008), male students gave a higher score compared to the female student. A significant mean difference was also found for subscale IFL between years of study (p-value=0.002), suggesting that the senior student had a more positive score compared to their junior. No association was found between students’ age and duration of clinical practicum in ICU with the CLE score. Conclusion: The nursing students’ perception of the CLE of ICU is positive. However, the score for subscale PFL is the lowest compared to another subscale. Hence, the nursing faculty should work together with the ward management to enhance the role and engagement of staff nurses in students learning. By doing this, the CLE of ICU will get better and eventually improve the clinical learning outcome.