Abstract
AIM: The purpose of this study was to measure collaboration in the clinical learning environment.
BACKGROUND: Clinical learning, which is essential for nursing education, allows students to integrate what they have learned in the classroom in a complex social context with an interactive network of forces. Stakeholders are nursing students, nursing faculty, and staff nurses who must collaborate in providing an effective learning environment for students.
METHOD: Quantitative data were collected via the Collaboration in the Clinical Learning Environment tool, an author-developed 24-item Likert scale designed to measure the amount of collaboration between staff nurses and nursing faculty members in the clinical learning environment.
RESULTS: Three groups (n = 882) were surveyed: staff nurses, nurse faculty, and nurses who worked concurrently in academia and practice.
CONCLUSION: This study adds to the literature on collaboration between nursing faculty members and staff nurses. It also highlights areas for improvement for both parties.