A student nurse's learning in a leg ulcer outpatient department

A descriptive case study was used to examine a student nurse's learning experience during her clinical placement in an outpatient department at a general hospital in the South of England. A specific leg ulcer clinic in the outpatient department was selected. Research questions were formulated to consider the learning outcomes achieved, the patient's experience of participation, the use of evidence-based practice and the learning environment. The results indicated that the staff nurse teacher was able to facilitate learning for the student within this clinic, despite constraints of time, environment and the patient's presence. The research questions were addressed, areas for further research arising from the outcomes of the study were identified, and recommendations were made for future practice.