Service users' perceptions of student nurses

A group consisting of a lecturer, staff nurses and mentors to student nurses on placement wanted to explore service users' perceptions of student nurses.

To explore service users' perceptions of student nurses and their experience of being nursed by them.

This research involved a qualitative study of service users' perceptions of student nurses. It involved brief semi-structured interviews where the service users were asked about their experiences. A thematic analysis of their responses was undertaken.

In many cases, perceptions of student nurses was positive and service users had fond recollections but some remembered students in a negative way. Many service users remembered student nurses coming and going but considered this to be neither good nor bad--they expressed indifference as they were accustomed to having health professionals change throughout their care pathway.

This study focused on people with learning disabilities but the findings are likely to apply to all care settings, particularly those that are long stay, where the care environment becomes home. The findings give student nurses and other staff insight into service users' experiences.