The Clinical Teaching Role of Nursing Teachers

Introduction: Clinical Education is the essential part of nursing education. Because the nursing teachers' clinical role is not clearly defined, this study was designed to understand the clinical role and its process in nursing teachers. Methods: This was a qualitative research (Grounded Theory) in which 15 nursing teachers of five nursing schools participated based on theoretical sampling. The data were collected using a semi-structured interview. The data constant comparison was used for analysis. Results: Categories including role clarity, professional identity, professional autonomy and fitting in were proposed as the means of describing how the respondents approached their clinical role. Conclusion: Due to perceived role ambiguity and professional dependence, the nursing teachers have problems in achieving their role of mastery. They try to avoid these problems by making a new professional identity and fitting in strategies. Unfortunately, these strategies banish them from educational real goals. Key words: Nursing Teachers, Clinical Role, Role Clarity, Nursing Education Address: Zamanzadeh V, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Source: Iranian Journal of Medical Education 2002 6: 27-32.