Academic-Clinical Integration in Entrustable Professional Activities in HEI: Its Influence on Nursing Students' Performance

Abstract

This study examined the effects of Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) on nursing students’ clinical performance as perceived by clinical instructors. Anchored on Benner’s Novice-to-Expert Theory, the study emphasized progressive clinical competence, guided practice, feedback, supervision, and entrustment in preparing students for professional nursing roles. A descriptive quantitative research design was used. The study was conducted in Metro Manila among 93 selected clinical instructors who were Filipino registered nurses with at least four months of clinical instruction experience. Data were gathered using an adapted questionnaire with three sections covering demographic profile, perceptions of EPAs, and satisfaction with nursing students’ clinical participation and performance. The instrument used a four-point Likert scale and demonstrated excellent reliability, with Cronbach’s Alpha values of .929 for the EPA perception scale and .941 for the nursing student performance satisfaction scale. Findings showed that clinical instructors had a high level of perception of EPAs, with a mean score of 3.50 and standard deviation of 0.48. They also reported a high level of satisfaction with nursing students’ clinical participation and performance, with a mean score of 3.44 and standard deviation of 0.48. The results indicate that EPAs helped strengthen clinical competence, accountability, confidence, and readiness for professional nursing practice. The study concluded that EPA-based evaluation supports the integration of academic instruction and clinical practice and helps prepare students for safe, patient-centered care. It recommended stronger academic-clinical collaboration, consistent EPA-based assessment, professional development for clinical instructors, and further studies involving broader respondents and diverse healthcare settings. The study supports SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 9, and SDG 17 through its focus on patient safety, quality nursing education, workforce readiness, digital assessment tools, and institutional partnerships. Its sustainability impact lies in strengthening nursing education, healthcare workforce preparation, clinical training systems, and academic-hospital collaboration.