Clinical Area Complexity, Facilitators’ Collaboration Attitude, and Clinical Competence among Nursing Students in a Private College

Abstract

Nursing students often demonstrate strong academic performance yet struggle to apply the same level of competence in actual clinical settings. This gap highlights the need to examine factors that influence clinical competence during training. This study aimed to determine the relationship between clinical area complexity and facilitators’ collaboration attitu de toward the level of clinical competence among nursing students in a private college. Specifically, it examined whether facilitators’ collaboration attitude mediated the relationship between clinical area complexity and students’ perceived clinical competence. The study included a total of 223 respondents, all of whom were second-year nursing students from a private college of nursing in Iloilo City. A descriptive–correlational research design with mediating analysis was utilised. Ethical clearance was secured prior to data collection. Data were gathered from second-year nursing students using researcher-made and standardized questionnaires administered through an online platform.Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation were used to describe the variables, while Spearman’s Rho and linear regression analysis were employed to determine relationships and mediation effects. Results indicated that students perceived the clinical practice area to have a moderate level of complexity, with patient interaction and time pressure identified as the most influential factors. Facilitators’ collaboration attitude was rated high, reflecting a supportive and cooperative learning environment. Students also reported a high level of perceived clinical competence. Findings revealed no significant relationship between clinical area complexity and students’ perceived clinical competence. However, facilitators’ collaboration attitude showed a significant positive relationship with clinical competence and fully mediated the relationship between clinical area complexity and clinical competence. These findings emphasize the importance of facilitator support in strengthening nursing students’ competence in complex clinical environments.