Relationship Between the Clinical Learning Environment and Caring Behaviors Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ergie P Inocian; Susan H Kelly; Emmanuel D Paragas Jr; Rhea Faye D Felicilda-Reynaldo; Melanie T Turk

doi:10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001231

Relationship Between the Clinical Learning Environment and Caring Behaviors Among Baccalaureate Nursing Students During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nurs Educ Perspect. 2024 Jan 16. doi: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001231. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Ergie P Inocian¹, Susan H Kelly, Emmanuel D Paragas Jr, Rhea Faye D Felicilda-Reynaldo, Melanie T Turk

Affiliation

¹ About the Authors Ergie P. Inocian, EdD, RN, CNOR, CMSRN, is a clinical assistant professor, School of Nursing, Duquesne University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Susan H. Kelly, EdD, RN, CMSRN, CNE, CHSE, is a clinical associate professor, School of Nursing, Duquesne University. Emmanuel D. Paragas, Jr., DNS, APRN, FNP-BC, is a nurse practitioner, Department of Hematology, Wheeling Hospital, Wheeling, West Virginia. Rhea Faye D. Felicilda-Reynaldo, EdD, RN, is adjunct faculty, Post University, Waterbury, Connecticut. Melanie T. Turk, PhD, RN, is an associate professor, School of Nursing, Duquesne University. The authors acknowledge Dr. Zane Robinson Wolf and Dr. Jennifer Newton for granting permission to utilize their research tools. The authors thank all nursing students who participated in this study. For more information, contact Dr. Inocian at inociane@duq.edu.

PMID: 38227638
DOI: 10.1097/01.NEP.0000000000001231

Abstract

Caring is a fundamental professional nursing value. This study examined the effect of the clinical learning environment (CLE) on nursing students' caring behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Valuing nursing work in the CLE increased the knowledge and skills aspect of caring behavior. Higher CLE scores in affordances and engagement and student centeredness increased the respectful deference of others and positive connectedness aspects of caring behaviors. These results may inform efforts to promote aspects of nursing students' caring behaviors during global health emergencies by enhancing the value of nursing work, engagement, and student-focused qualities of the CLE.