Abstract

Background: Clinical learning is an important component of nursing education, which enhances the transfer of theoretical knowledge into practice enhancing the provision of quality nursing care. Objective: This study was aimed at identifying factors and challenges that influence the acquisition of clinical skills by student nurses during internship in the Buea Health District. Methods: The study employed a cross-sectional design. Purposive and simple random sampling techniques were used to select the study site and enroll participants to the study respectively. The study was conducted in four health facilities in the Buea Health District in Fako Division, South West Region of Cameroon. The participants were made up of 2nd, 3rd, 4th year student nurses on internship. Respondents who met the inclusion criteria and gave their consent to participate in the study were selected. Data was collected using a pretested semi-structured questionnaire made up of closed-ended questions. Data was collected on the factors and challenges that influence the acquisition of clinical skills by student nurses. The data collected was entered into Microsoft Excel and finally into Statistical Package for Social Science 22 versions. Data was analyzed using quantitative method, and Chi square test at a confidence interval of 95% was used to conduct bivariate analysis. Results: A total of 212 respondents participated in the study. The study revealed that 118 (40.59%) respondents acquired communication skill and 164 (18.81%) leadership skills. Factors that influenced the types of clinical skills acquired by respondents were age (COR: 0.031), level of preparedness to enter a clinical setting (COR: 0.355), source of motivation (COR: 0.753). Limited time (25.25%), lack of support and supervision (24.26%) from health personnel were the most frequent challenges that hindered the acquisition of clinical skills by student nurses on internship in the Buea Health District. Conclusion: The study concluded that even though the participants acquired communication and leadership skills, there is need to enhance the acquisition of decision making skill in order to promote the provision of prompt and quality nursing care. Also, health institutions and health facilities should minimize challenges faced by student nurses in the acquisition of clinical skills. 

Keywords

factors, clinical practice, skills acquisition, student nurses, challenges.