title: Nursing students administering medication: appreciating and seeking appropriate supervision.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This paper is a report of a study of undergraduate nursing students' experience of administering medication in the clinical setting.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Safe administration of medication is an important component of skilled nursing practice, and nursing students require personal and supportive supervision from Registered Nurses to enhance learning and promote safety. A review of the literature revealed a lack of research addressing students' experiences in administering medication.
  
  
  METHODS
  A grounded theory methodology was used. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with a convenience sample of 27 undergraduate nursing students in Queensland Australia in 2005.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Supervision emerged as the central category in this study. Participants acknowledged the need for and importance of supervision according to the following sub-themes: a university requirement; scope of practice; and safety, the five rights. They also described behaviours they adopted to seek supervision, including negotiating, chasing, waiting and avoiding.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Universities and healthcare settings need to collaborate more closely to ensure that adequate supervision is provided to ensure safe practices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Engineering and Health, and Institute for Health and Social Science Research CQ University Australia, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: Kerry
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reid-Searl
authors.forename: Lorna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Moxham
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: Brenda
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Happell
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001315:Australia; D002983:Clinical Competence; D015400:Clinical Nursing Research; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008611:Mentors; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012449:Safety; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs