Nursing students' experiences care.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to explore nursing students' experiences of caring for older people in practice and to examine the factors that affected their perceptions of working with these patients.


METHODS
A qualitative research design was used and data were collected by focus groups.


RESULTS
Participants entered clinical placements early in their course with clear caring values, which formed a central part of their decision to enter nursing. However, early encounters and observations in the practice setting challenged these ideals.


CONCLUSIONS
Positive learning environments should be developed that enable students to retain clear caring values and to realise the potential of caring practice while reconciling its demands.
Division of Nursing, University of Nottingham, Derby.
Julie
J
McGarry
Aimee
A
Aubeeluck
Christine
C
Simpson
Glenn
G
Williams
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*