Supporting student nurses whilst undertaking clinical training is an important activity for both educators and students, yet there is little consensus in the literature as to what constitutes support. Also, it is difficult to find a robust instrument that provides a valid measure of the quality of the clinical learning environment in different contexts. The aim of this study was to identify factors that influence student nurses' perception of their clinical tutors. A two-part questionnaire was administered to students of a Nursing School in a large city in northern Italy; 143 students participated in the study. In replying to the questions, student nurses were asked to refer to their last one-month training period of the year 2004. Analysis of study results showed that students' perceived satisfaction with their clinical guide was greater in cases where tutors used the critical thinking method. A one-to-one relation between tutor and student was not found to be essential in assuring a satisfactory clinical experience for nursing students.
