Clinical supervisors' perspectives of factors influencing clinical learning experience of nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds during placement: A qualitative study

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds experience unique challenges with their learning needs during clinical placements. There is limited research on clinical supervisors' perspectives of the factors impacting clinical learning experience of nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds during placement. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to identify clinical supervisors' perspectives of the factors impacting on the clinical learning experience of nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and strategies to overcome challenges. DESIGN: A qualitative research design using semi-structured interviews. METHODS: Nine nurses who had experience supervising culturally and linguistically diverse nursing students were interviewed as part of data collection. Thematic analysis was used for data interpretation. RESULTS: Identified factors include: Poor proficiency in English language, unfamiliarity with Australian slang and medical terminologies, cultural expectations interfering with professional responsibilities, incongruity with teaching delivery and learning style, short duration of placement, inconsistency with preceptor allocation and inadequate preceptor training. CONCLUSION: Recommendations to facilitate the learning of nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) backgrounds on clinical placement include flexibility with assessments, modifying teaching styles according to learning needs, providing appropriate orientation, creating a welcoming environment, providing consistency with allocation of preceptors, and providing appropriate training for preceptors. Inconsistency in preceptor allocation was reported to have a negative influence on CALD student learning. A collaborative approach between Universities and the health care settings is essential in assisting clinical supervisors to address the unique learning needs of nursing students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds while on clinical placement.