Testing the measurement invariance of the Korean clinical learning environment, supervision and nurse teacher (CLES+t) scale

In 2018, the Korean version of the Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher scale was evaluated for validity and reliability. This study aimed to test the instrument's measurement invariance and to compare the latent means of groups. This was a cross-sectional study. Nursing departments in four metropolitan cities and five regions of Korea. The study sample comprised 507 nursing students. Bachelor's-level nursing students in their third and fourth years who have experienced clinical practicum. Data were collected from November 11 to December 24, 2018 using the Korean Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher scale. Confirmatory factor analysis and multi-group confirmatory factor analysis were conducted. Measurement invariance of the Korean Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher scale was tested in the following order: configural invariance, factor-loading invariance, intercept invariance, factor variance/covariance invariance, and residual invariance, by student year, hospital grade (tertiary or general hospital) and assignment of a nurse instructor (or not). The measurement invariance of the Korean Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher scale by student year and hospital grade were confirmed by configural invariance, factor-loading invariance, intercept invariance, factor variance/covariance invariance, and residual invariance. The measurement invariance of the scale by assignment of a nurse instructor (or not) was also confirmed for configural invariance, factor-loading invariance, partial intercept invariance, partial factor variance/covariance invariance, and partial residual invariance. Comparing latent mean values, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean of the sub-dimensions of the Korean Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher scale by student year, hospital grade, and nurse assignment (or not). The Korean Clinical Learning Environment, Supervision, and Nurse Teacher scale is an appropriate instrument for measuring the clinical learning environment regardless of student year, hospital grade, or nurse assignment.