Clinical training and competence development in higher education institutions : a case of Mulago School of Nursing and Midwifery, Kampala-Uganda

Abstract

Clinical training is the backbone of competence development in nursing education. This study aimed to establish the influence of clinical training on competence development among student nurses at Mulago School of nursing and midwifery. A mixed methods design that employed an explanatory sequential paradigm. It employed 66 student nurses who filled in a questionnaire and 19 clinical mentors who were interviewed. Data was analyzed using SPSS to draw distribution of frequency and percentages and a narration made of quantitative data. In addition, using single and multiple linear regression modelling, the three hypotheses were tested. The study found out that unlike for learning environment and supervision, mentoring had the greatest influence on competence development. Thus, the study recommended that Mulago School of nursing and midwifery should put emphasis on mentoring through enhancing skills of mentors in student training. In addition, devise means to motivate mentors for service offered to trainees. These will further enhance competence development