Clinical accompaniment in community nursing.

Objective: To investigate student nurses' perceptions of practical accompaniment at community health clinics.

Methods: A descriptive study was conducted using a convenient sample of third- and fourth-year baccalaureate nursing students. A questionnaire was used to gather data from 49 students on their perceptions of clinical accompaniment, interpersonal relations with the preceptor and educational strategies in clinical teaching.

Results: Forty nine students returned the completed questionnaires, giving a response rate of 93 per cent. Respondents expressed mainly positive feelings on the roles of the preceptor during accompaniment.

Conclusions: There were slight differences in the responses given by third-year students and those of fourth-year students. In general, students indicated that there was open communication between them and preceptors, and that they were satisfied with the educational strategies used by preceptors in clinical teaching.