title: Reflections on student nurse placements in the PICU.
abstract: Student placements in the paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have a number of benefits including the recruitment of staff to this specialty, students' learning of important observational skills and reenforcing the knowledge and skills of existing staff. However, the combination of critically ill children and large amounts of complex equipment can be daunting for the student nurse commencing a clinical placement in PICU. Careful induction, ongoing mentoring and opportunities to explore issues help to overcome students' fears of being unable to cope, and support the application of theory to practice in this challenging environment.
authors.affiliation: ICU, Royal Liverpool Children's Hospital.
authors.forename: Jill
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Heron
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lawlor
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005239:Fear; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric / Q000458:organization & administration; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D008611:Mentors; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology; D010371:Pediatric Nursing / Q000193:education* / Q000458:organization & administration; D012944:Social Support; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*