Student nurses' experiences of the body in aged care

Little is known about how student nurses deal with 'old bodies' in the process of providing nursing care to nursing home residents. It was an issue raised by student nurse participants involved in a pilot research project designed to develop support structures for students on placement in aged care settings. During the research discussions, where students explored their experiences of working in aged care, it became apparent that the process of providing 'hands on' care to residents with 'old wrinkly bodies' was very confronting. However, in the context of the research project, students had an opportunity to share stories of their experiences of providing care to residents and critically reflect on the issues raised. Participation in these critically reflective discussions facilitated a process whereby students could challenge taken for granted understandings of older people and their bodies and develop a new appreciation of aged care. This was most evident in a significant positive shift in their attitude to working in the sector following graduation.