title: Is there a relationship between the diversity characteristics of nursing students and their clinical placement experiences? A literature review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There has been an increase in ethno-cultural, linguistic, and socio-demographical diversity in students enrolling in undergraduate nursing programs. Diversity also involves other characteristics, but little is known about how diversity impacts on the clinical experiences of nursing students.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this review is to identify studies which describe the clinical placement experiences of nursing students who have a broad range of diversity characteristics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Major databases were searched and original studies published from 2003 to 30 June 2013 were eligible for inclusion. An expanded definition of diversity was used to include characteristics such as ethnicity, language, age, religion, gender, socioeconomic status, carer responsibilities, sexual orientation and special needs/disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Male gender and speaking English as a second language are diversity characteristics associated with a less positive clinical experience. These students are also more likely to leave their nursing program. Mature-aged students and those from ethnic minority groups were also noted to have a less positive clinical experience and in some cases, this also increased attrition. However, it was difficult to determine the impact of these characteristics alone as they appeared to be linked with other characteristics such as financial difficulties and carer responsibilities in the case of mature-aged students, and language and international student status in the case of ethnicity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the significant benefits associated with preparing a diverse nursing workforce, it is an imperative to better understand the impact of diversity on nursing students to ensure that every placement becomes a positive and valuable learning experience.
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Koch
authors.forename: Bronwyn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Everett
authors.forename: Jane
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Phillips
authors.forename: Patricia M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Davidson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002983:Clinical Competence; D018864:Cultural Diversity; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D010563:Personnel Turnover / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011231:Preceptorship / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult