Factors Influencing Nursing Students’ Attitudes and Perceptions of Clinical Posting at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Clinical posting is essential in nursing education, facilitating the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical skills and shaping students’ professional attitudes and future career commitment. This descriptive cross-sectional study examined factors influencing nursing students’ attitudes and perceptions toward clinical posting at Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), the primary clinical training site for the Department of Nursing Science, Rivers State University, Nigeria. The study targeted 229 nursing students in Years 2, 3, and 4 who had completed at least six months of clinical rotations. Using purposive total enumeration sampling, a researcher-designed electronic questionnaire was distributed, yielding 212 valid responses (92.6% retrieval rate). Data were analyzed with SPSS version 25.0, employing descriptive statistics (means and standard deviations) and an independent samples z-test at 0.05 significance level. Responses were scored on a 5-point Likert scale with a criterion mean of 3.0. The sample was predominantly female (67.9%), aged 20–25 years (60.8%), with Year 2 students forming the largest group (41.5%). All eight factors assessed—support from preceptors/staff, adaptation challenges, workload effects, staff conduct, inclusivity, direction provided, socio-cultural influences, and overall satisfaction—recorded mean scores ≥ 2.97 (grand means 3.36 for males and 3.33 for females), indicating positive perceptions. Students felt supported, included, and generally satisfied despite challenges in adaptation and workload. No statistically significant gender difference was found (z = 0.45, p = 0.65). The findings affirm RSUTH’s supportive clinical environment and highlight the importance of preceptor quality and staff conduct. Recommendations include enhanced preceptor training, workload management strategies, and cultural sensitivity initiatives to further optimize clinical education. This study provides context-specific evidence to strengthen nursing training in Nigerian teaching hospitals.