title: Attracting students to aged care: the impact of a supportive orientation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The 'Building connections in aged care' project sought to investigate quality clinical placements for undergraduate nursing students in residential aged care facilities in Tasmania, Australia.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Aged care reportedly holds little attraction to student nurses as an employment option, exacerbating problems with recruiting staff into the sector. This, coupled with knowing the quality of an undergraduate learning experience can influence career choices, provided the impetus for the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Informed by action research and conducted in three-stages, the project scoped the problem, implemented improvement strategies and assessed sustainability of their effectiveness. Data were collected via structured research meetings and surveys/check lists, and subjected to qualitative and quantitative analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A key finding was the importance of providing students with a comprehensive orientation to the aged care environment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The critical nature of orientation processes in the establishment of a supportive and welcoming environment for students, and to 'setting up' a positive and enjoyable learning experience in aged care settings has not been shown by research to date.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Student orientation warrants greater attention. We recommend strategies concerning the structure of student orientation programs, links with university schools of nursing, use of preceptors, and preparing aged care facility staff.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Tasmania, Private Bag 121, Hobart, Tasmania 7001, Australia. Andrew.Robinson@utas.edu.au
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Robinson
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andrews-Hall
authors.forename: Katrina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Cubit
authors.forename: Matthew
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fassett
authors.forename: Louise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Venter
authors.forename: Brett
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Menzies
authors.forename: Linda
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jongeling
mesh_terms: D002321:Career Choice; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D011231:Preceptorship; D013648:Tasmania; D000078329:Workforce