Nursing Students' Perceptions of Staff Nurse Instructors' Characteristics in a Dedicated Education Unit

Background: The dedicated education unit is a model that has been used for clinical experiences in recent years. The importance of effective staff nurse instructors (SNIs) is paramount in nursing students' development of nursing skills and critical thinking. Purpose: This study examined nursing students' perceptions of positive and negative characteristics of SNIs. Method: During a 3-year period, an estimated 265 nursing students evaluated SNIs using an optional two question survey. Qualitative data were retrieved and reviewed by researchers to analyze common themes delineated by students. Results: Various themes were noted in which students identified exemplary SNI characteristics as well as barriers to learning. Conclusion: Data revealed positive and negative attributes that promoted student learning by the SNIs. Areas for improvement in training of the SNIs became evident through analyzing data, which can be used by clinical faculty to improve the experiences for both students and SNIs.