Perioperative nurses' experiences as students: the perceived status of being at university

Literature relating to student experience during post-registration education is limited, and focuses on the outcome of the education rather than on the perspectives of the practitioner about what it is like to be a student. This paper illustrates perceptions of 23 perioperative nurses (the participants) with respect to their experiences as students during continuing professional education. Interviews indicated that, whilst study could be stressful, all the nurses enjoyed their educational experiences. Possession of a university student identification card was perceived as symbolic of raised social status.