2023 Volume 73 Issue 1 Pages 61-68
Aims: This study aimed to identify the characteristics of help-seeking behaviors among nursing students during clinical practicum.
Methods: An anonymous questionnaire survey was administered to nursing university students in their 2nd-4th years on 1) the problems encountered by students during clinical practicum and whether or not they discussed them with anyone; in the three situations of nursing practice, relationships with patients, and relationships with the teacher and clinical instructors. 2) Moreover, students were asked to evaluate the following four scales: their help-seeking skills, self-disclosure, assertiveness, and support from others. The scores for these items were compared between the student groups that sought help and those that did not.
Results: Effective responses were obtained from 190 students. Students experienced problems most frequently in their nursing practice and relationships with their patients. However, approximately 40％ of students did not discuss with anyone their problems related to relationships with their teachers and clinical instructors. A comparison of the student groups that sought and did not seek help showed that scores on the help-seeking skills scale and some scores for the subscales on self-disclosure and assertiveness were better in the student group that sought help than the group that did not.
Discussion: Nursing students felt hesitant to discuss their problems related to their relationships with teachers and clinical instructors for clinical practicum. Furthermore, help-seeking behaviors were associated with help-seeking skills, self-disclosure, and assertiveness, suggesting the importance of educational support that nurtures these skills.
