Caring Behaviors of Clinical Instructors during Nursing Students’ Related Learning Experience A Basis for Enhancing Student- Mentor Relationship

This research study aims at exploring the perceptions of the student – nurses on the caring behaviors portrayed by their nursing faculty and to what extent do they affect the nursing education. The researcher utilized a modified Collaizi method to organizely go through with the entire systematic process of data collection and analysis. Individual interview sessions and observations with second year to fourth year students were utilized by the research as methods of data gathering. Results of the study presented three central themes of nursing faculty caring behaviors, namely: (1) clinical supervision; (2) professional role; and, (3) personal attributes. Participants revealed that the caring behaviors of nursing faculty contribute to student – nurses’ development of competent knowledge, enhanced skills, and appropriate attitude. A nursing faculty also referred to as clinical instructor has his or her own unique approach towards student – nurses, either professionally or personally, and that these responsibilities and characteristics could enhance or hinder the progress of student – mentor relationship.

Keywords: Caring, Behaviors, Nursing Faculty, Supervision, Nursing, Nursing Students