The Present Conditions and Problems in Collaboration between Clinical Instructors and Teachers in the Visiting Nursing Station Practice

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to identify the present conditions and problems in collaboration between clinical instructors and teachers in the visiting nursing station practice.

Method: We conducted a self-administered questionnaire survey of 77 visiting nurses. We calculated the descriptive statistics and content analysis was performed for the participants’ responses to the open-ended questions.

Results: There were 38 valid responses (49.4%). Most clinical instructors felt that collaboration with teachers was important, but about half of them felt it was difficult. The contents of the participants’ responses regarding collaboration were classified into 5 categories: “Opportunities for collaboration,” “Method of collaboration,” “Contents of collaboration,” “Guidance system in practical training,” and “Merits of clinical instruction.”

Discussion: Fewer than half of the facilities kept a clinical instruction manual, hence it was guessed that there are many facilities where the clinical instructors are in charge of presenting the clinical guidance method. In practical training at a visiting nursing station, there are limited opportunities for clinical instructors and teachers to collaborate directly in sharing information about students. Therefore, it is important for teachers to use prior meetings and feedback to build relationships with clinical facilities and expand collaboration opportunities. Also, during the practice, it is necessary for the roles and relationships of the clinical instructors and the teachers to be communicated.