IOSR Journal of Nursing and Health Science (IOSR-JNHS) e-ISSN: 2320–1959.p- ISSN: 2320–1940 Volume 10, Issue 3 Ser. IV (May – June 2021), PP 01-08 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/1959-1003040108 www.iosrjournals.org 1 | Page Perception and Attitude of Nursing Students toward Clinical Experience in Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Care Institution in Edo State Nigeria Mercy Ejodamen Avbuluimen 1 Prof. E.N. Chiejina 2 1 Department of nursing services Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital Irrua Edo State Nigeria 2 Department of Nursing, Faculty Of Health Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University Nnewi Campus Anambra State Nigeria Abstract Background: Studies had shown that nursing as a profession requires extensive knowledge from the clinical areas and the ability of the student nurses to apply theoretical grips from the class in the care of a client is imperative, hence their ratiocination towards their training. The aim of this study is to ascertain the perception and attitude of nursing students toward clinical experience in the primary, secondary and tertiary care institution in Edo State Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional descriptive design was adopted, A total of 332 respondents was selected using stratified sampling technique to elicit sample from each level. A modified questionnaire, Nursing Students’ Perception of Clinical Experience (QNSPCE) was used for data collection. The data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 25, and Chi square test for analyzing the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Result: The Overall mean score for nursing students' perception towards clinical experience was 200 level (3.09±0.15), 300 level (2.84±0), 400 level (2.94±0.19), and 500 level (2.86±0.22) while that of their attitude was 3.31 ± 0.25 (200 level), 3.26 ± 0.43 (300 level), 3.27 ± 0.32 (400 level), and (3.05 ± 0.36 (500 level) respectively. Conclusion: Majority of the respondent have positive perception about their clinical experience, also attitude portrayed by student nurses towards clinical posting varies with levels of training, hence the contrast in their frame of mind towards their clinical training lessens as they attain a higher academic level, at the same time student nurses supervisions decreases as they advance in academic level. Keywords: Perception, Attitude, Nursing student, Clinical experience --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 21-05-2021 Date of acceptance: 06-06-2021 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction Nursing as a profession requires a comprehensive Nursing education which is practical base built on theoretical knowledge (Teferra & Mengistu, 2017) amass over the years. Considering the recent population explosion , novel diseases , increase numbers of hospital and health care consumers there is need to improve in nursing education and the mode at which it knowledge are imparted. More so clinical learning ambience had been area of focus in Nursing education for over two decades (Teferra & Mengistu 2017) with the aim of churning out competent, swift clinical judgment and decision making prudent nurses because real-life experiences are harnessed in this area to meet the growing health care demand. According to McKenna, McCall and Ways (2010). clinical environment is where real-life experience are gotten and this area was illustrated to have a direct impact on student nurse discernment, hence facilitate professional moldings. The quality of clinical placements as perceived by students in terms of support, clinical teaching and learning, and the integration of theory into practice vary considerably from one experience to the next (Grealish & Smale, 2011) and the dynamic of imparting the skills influences the learners opinion about the subject of study. Student nurses perception toward clinical experience cannot be overlooked in clinical training as it play a major role in their tutelage, because knowledge acquired in the clinical setting is through observing role model, hand on practice on supervision and the ability to recall and apply theoretical knowledge acquired in the classroom during practical sessions ( Chan, 2008), Hence the absurdity associated with rending healthcare, improper supervision, lack or inadequate preceptorship just to mention a few may impact student nurse ratiocination with enfeebled foundation for professionalism.