Aptidão psicológica e vocacional dos estudantes de enfermagem no primeiro contacto clínico: implicações para a formação profissional

Vollständiger Abstract

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The first clinical placement represents a critical stage in nursing education, marking the transition from theoretical learning to professional clinical practice. During this period, anxiety, stress, professional vocation, and emotional preparedness may significantly influence students' adaptation to the clinical environment and the development of professional competencies. The objective is evaluating the psychological and vocational readiness of nursing students during their first clinical placement, analysing the influence of emotional and educational factors on their adaptation to professional practice. A descriptive, cross-sectional, quantitative study was conducted with 113 second-year nursing students from the Instituto Superior Privado do Waku-Kungo, Angola. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire organised into sociodemographic, vocational, psychological, physiological, and educational dimensions, employing Likert-type scales. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Most participants reported choosing nursing based on professional vocation. However, considerable levels of anxiety, fear of making mistakes, insecurity, and adaptation difficulties were identified during the first clinical placement. Clinical supervision, simulation-based learning, psychological preparation, and resilience development were recognised as essential factors for improving self-confidence, emotional stability, and professional competence. Readiness for the first clinical placement depends not only on technical knowledge but also on psychological preparation, vocational orientation, and institutional support. Higher education institutions should strengthen psychological preparation programmes, clinical simulation, emotional competence development, and vocational guidance to facilitate students' transition into clinical practice and promote the education of competent and emotionally resilient nurses.