SEM approach in understanding confidence, competence, and effectiveness in clinical teaching among nurse preceptors

Clinical teaching is an essential component in nursing education in bridging theory and practice. Nurse preceptors play vital role in guiding nursing interns in clinical practice. The study aimed to examine the relationship between the confidence, competence, and effectiveness in clinical teaching among nurse preceptors in government hospitals in the southern region of Saudi Arabia. Descriptive quantitative correlation design was the method used in this study. Data were collected electronically utilizing adopted questionnaires. Covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM), using maximum likelihood estimation was conducted to analyze the interrelationships between and among confidence, competence, and effectiveness in clinical teaching. As to the findings, the dimensions of confidence and competence in clinical teaching were correlated with one another, with correlation coefficients (r-value) ranging from 0.22 to 0.33, and p-value of 0.003. In a similar vein, confidence had moderate to high linear associations with effectiveness in clinical teaching, with correlation coefficients (r-value) varying from 0.24 to 0.44, β=0.48, p=0.004. In contrast, findings showed that the correlation coefficients (r-value) ranged from 0.01 to 0.17 for the competence and effectiveness in clinical teaching, and were not statistically significant (β=-0.06, p=0.591). In conclusion, although many nurse preceptors are expert clinicians and assumed numerous roles, they may lack expertise in the teaching role. The clinical teaching quality of nurse preceptors can be improved by training programs with appropriate teaching methods with emphasis on effective clinical teaching practices and characteristics to assist students in clinical competency.