Asian Journal of Research in Nursing and Health

Background:  Clinical instructor plays vital role in shaping the students clinical competence in clinical setting. Exposure to clinical environment promote competency of the students nurse, it serve as arena to understand patient situation and to enhance patient care. The clinical rotation builds practical skills and application of concepts that enhance proficiency in the delivery of care. The theoretical knowledge and clinical skills helps student on function in clinical field. Thus, clinical instructor must compassionate to mentor the student acquire caring skills and competence in responding the challenges of complex health care. Effective Clinical instructors serve as role model for care to the students, establishing supportive interaction and interpersonal relationship foster competence to improve students in knowledge, skills and attitude in responding patient needs. Patient safety is always emphasize in the delivery of care. Clinical instructor must ensure that students is prepared in handling patient. Mentoring with compassionate encompasses motivation, emotional support and role model that beneficial to the students confidence in delivery of care.

Purpose: The aim of study is to explore the clinical instructors experience in mentoring student nurses clinical competence in the delivery of patient care. The study describes mentoring approach that is applicable for the student nurses. It also aim to understand how compassionate mentoring shapes student nurses confidence and competence in providing patient care.

Methods: The study utilize Husserl Descriptive Phenomenological design which seek to understand the lived experience of the participants. A total of ten clinical instructors who is actively engage in mentoring students nurses in hospital setting. In depth interview was utilized.

Result: The result presented three major themes in the study (1) Fostering supportive guidance and safe clinical environment (2) Transformation toward professional identity of student nurse (3) Role model for compassionate care delivery.

Conclusion: Clinical instructors plays significant role in creation of safe and supportive environment where the students build competency through experience in clinical field. As students nurses encounter different challenges in the area, these provide opportunity to learn and understand different patient perspective. It’s about understanding on the complex care and function in the busy environment. It has been shows that clinical instructors had influence in shaping the nursing students. The clinical supervision in clinical setting is crucial in developing knowledge, skills and professional attitude.