Are we preparing student nurses for final practice placement?
The aims of this research were to illuminate student nurses' perceptions of preparedness for final practice placement, and to ascertain factors that supported and hindered preparation for final placement practice. This phenomenological qualitative research was carried out in a UK higher education institution (HEI) with eight adult branch student nurses maintaining written diaries for the first 4 weeks of their final 10-week practice placement. Data were then analysed by means of an interpretive phenomenological approach (IPA). Results showed that students felt ill-prepared for placement. Eight clear themes emerged, including: being used as 'an extra pair of hands'; mentors appearing to treat student practice documentation as unimportant; and high staff expectations. Other themes were: mentor importance; students feeling that they lacked knowledge; and students feeling unsupported and stressed. In conclusion, although students felt that they lacked knowledge and were used as an extra pair of hands, they did show clinical competence.
Lecturer in Pre-registration Nursing, University of Central Lancashire.
Nicola
N
Morrell
Senior University Teaching Fellow, Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Chester.
Victoria
V
Ridgway
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003162:Competency-Based Education / Q000592:standards*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008611:Mentors / Q000523:psychology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult