title: Exploring undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of working in aged care settings: A review of the literature.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore undergraduate nursing students' perceptions of working in the aged care setting through a review of the literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of available literature relating to undergraduate nursing students' attitudes, perceptions and experiences in the aged care setting, or in the care of older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  CINAHL Plus with Full Text was the primary database used. Other databases include PsycINFO and Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition.
  
  
  METHODS
  Studies focused on undergraduate nursing students and their experiences in the aged care setting and on the perceptions and attitudes of nursing students toward older adults, were included. Studies that did not present an original study or those that did not meet the aim of the study were excluded from the review.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Following removal of duplicates and exclusion of articles not meeting the aim of this paper, 24 articles remained. Three main themes emerged from the review of the literature: perceptions of aged care placement, attitudes to working in aged care, and experiences in aged care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The experiences of nursing students employed as undergraduate AINs in the aged care setting can provide an immersive clinical learning experience in preparation for their new graduate (NG) year. Furthermore, it is an opportunity to challenge ageist attitudes and instil core nursing values in novice nurses such as promoting compassionate care.
authors: University of Western Sydney, Australia.
authors: Maricris
authors: M
authors: Algoso
authors: University of Western Sydney, Australia.
authors: Kath
authors: K
authors: Peters
authors: University of Western Sydney, Australia.
authors: Lucie
authors: L
authors: Ramjan
authors: Deakin University, Australia.
authors: Leah
authors: L
authors: East
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004506:Education, Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration; D006707:Homes for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Aged care; Attitudes; Experiences; Perceptions; Undergraduate nursing students