Evaluation of Clinical Education from the Perspective of Nursing Students of Ardabil University of Medical Science in 2009

clinical education is very important and influential part of Nursing Education curriculum, since it forms about half of the nursing student's education time. Quality Improvement is one of the most important aspects of the clinical education that requires continuous monitoring to determine present situation and identify strengths and weaknesses of the program. This descriptive, cross-sectional study performed to determine the status of clinical education based on nursing student's viewpoints in Ardabil city. Questionnaire in five fields including goals and education program, instructor performance, student interaction with staff and patients, facilities of clinical environment, and clinical evaluation system were completed by 90 nursing students. Data were analyzed by descriptive and analytical statistical tests using SPSS software. Based on nursing student's viewpoints the status of clinical education in the field of instructor performance and goals and education program was good and facilities of clinical environment, student interaction with staff and patients, and clinical evaluation systems were evaluated as moderate. Data analysis also showed no significant relationship between courses, being native or non-native, number of semester, and being resident of student dormitory with the status of clinical training. Considering that quality of education environment is very effective in teaching and learning process, it is necessary to: promote facilities and equipment of clinical education, make atmosphere of clinical environment more educational, justify ward's staff, and design an appropriate evaluation system.