Nursing Students Perceptions on the Use of Preceptors to Improve Clinical Competence at the University of Namibia

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of nursing students in relation to the use of preceptors to improve their clinical competence at the School of Nursing at the University of Namibia. Thus, the objectives of the study were to assess and describe the perceptions of nursing students regarding the use of preceptors to improve their clinical competence with a view to make recommendations based on the findings of the study. A quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional design was used with a total of 100 nursing students from all four cohorts for the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) (Clinical) at one of the university campuses being conveniently to participate in the study. Self-administered questionnaire were used to collect the data from the participants. The data derived from the questionnaire was analysed using SPSS version 24. The findings from the study revealed, inter alia, that 70% of the participants indicated that the use of preceptors has a positive effect on the students’ clinical competence. The study therefore recommended sustainment and strengthening of preceptorship strategies for clinical accompaniment of students. Notwithstanding positive findings, the study also recommends improvement of skills for teaching and time management skill, punctual report on duty and efficient utilization of clinical time for preceptors for more efficient implementation of student teaching during clinical accompaniment.