Abstract
BACKGROUND: Achieving competence in clinical skills requires various resources and preparation time for undergraduate nursing students. Intentional opportunities should be created for student nurses to experience meaningful encounters in the clinical skills laboratory (CSL) to broaden their knowledge and competence. Therefore, factors that influence the competence in clinical learning in a CSL were explored. AIM: This study aimed to explore and describe the perceptions of nursing students regarding factors influencing their learning in a CSL. SETTING: The study was conducted at a School of Nursing at a university in the Western Cape province. METHODS: A qualitative descriptive design was adopted. Purposive sampling was used to select participants for this study based on specific inclusion and exclusion criteria. Following the attainment of ethical clearance, 10 focus group interviews were undertaken to explore the perceptions of nursing students regarding factors influencing their learning in a CSL. The focus group sessions continued until data saturation was established. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis process. RESULTS: Three major themes emerged from the data analysis that was explored to make the following recommendations: physical environment, psychosocial environment and organisational environment. CONCLUSION: The results of this study highlighted the necessity for implementing interventions to enhance specific elements within the CSL, aiming to foster high-quality clinical learning experiences for nursing students. CONTRIBUTION: Areas were identified within the CSL environment that requires enhancement to ensure the provision of quality clinical learning, thereby enabling student nurses to attain clinical competence.