EVALUATION OF CLINICAL TRAINING IN NURSING IN KENYA

Abstract

This research evaluated clinical training provided by academic institutions that offer the Bachelor

of Science in Nursing (BScN) program. The purpose of the study was to describe the adequacy of clinical

training and the graduates’ preparedness for nursing practice. The research was conducted between

September 2008 and March 2010.

The design of the research was a cross section survey using the questionnaire and focus group

interview (FGI) methods to collect data. The sample comprised 232 subjects including pre-service BScN

graduates and nursing supervisors. The study sites were four teaching and referral hospitals in Kenya.

The research findings showed that the clinical training provided by the academic institutions was

adequate. However, the quality of training varied widely among the training institutions.

Based on the research findings, the study concluded that clinical training provided by the

baccalaureate nursing programs in Kenya was of high quality. This study recommends that urgent

attention was required by nursing educators of the BScN programmes to address identified gaps in

clinical training especially in clinical instruction and supervision of students.