Graduation Year
2026
Document Type
Senior Thesis
Degree
Bachelor of Science in Nursing
Primary Major
Nursing
Primary Minor
Psychology
Second Minor
Leadership
Thesis Advisor
Kendra Hoepper, DNP, APRN, PHP-C
Abstract
Background: As nursing students approach graduation, choosing a specialty becomes a key decision. Although clinical rotations offer exposure to different practice areas, the role of the clinical instructor is equally influential. Instructor engagement extends beyond teaching skills and may shape how students perceive clinical environments. Objective: This study examines how clinical instructor engagement influences senior nursing students’ specialty preferences. Method: A longitudinal cohort design will be used with pre-licensure BSN students at a small private university in Northern California. Students will complete the same survey twice during their program, and paired t-tests will be used to assess changes in specialty interest after the final senior-year clinical rotation. Results: Data collection has not yet begun. Anticipated findings may clarify whether higher instructor engagement correlates with shifts in specialty interest, suggesting the importance of engagement-related teaching behaviors such as fostering belonging, inclusion, and respect. Conclusion: This study seeks to enhance understanding of how clinical instructor engagement shapes specialty choice and influences the clinical learning environment in nursing education.