Abstract

Students with disabilities (SWD’s) entering undergraduate nursing programs has increased over time. In this article, the authors describe the experiences of clinical nurse educators on instructing student nurses with disabilities (SWD) in the clinical arena. Fourteen clinical nurse educators participated in this qualitative study. All participants were involved in the direct instruction of student nurses in the clinical arena. Data collection consisted of one on one interviews with clinical nurse educators and the participants completed an interactive journal. The results that emerged from the data include the following: 1. Instructional strategies used by the participants in the clinical arena; 2. Curricula issues; 3. Balancing opposing needs of student learning and client safety; and 4. Challenges encountered by participants. In conclusion, the instructional strategies used by clinical nurse educators are informed by their values about teaching and learning, teaching experiences and nursing education.