The experiences of student nurses on placements with practice nurses: A pilot study

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Primary Care Nursing
• Health Workforce Development

Background:

• The UK requires registered nurses prepared for general practice (GP) settings.
• Student nurses need exposure to practice nursing roles to inform career choices.
• The role of the practice nurse is crucial in modern healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a pilot project offering student nurse placements in GP practices.
• To assess the impact of these placements on student learning and career considerations.
• To determine the value of practice nurse placements for future nursing workforce development.

Main Methods:

• A pilot project involved 17 student nurses undertaking placements in 7 selected GP practices.
• Practice nurses received a mentorship preparation program.
• An evaluation study assessed student experiences, learning, and career intentions.

Main Results:

• Students reported highly positive placement experiences, often rating them as equal to or better than previous ones.
• Placements positively impacted student knowledge and skills, especially in health promotion.
• The majority of students expressed interest in further practice nurse placements and considering this career path.

Conclusions:

• GP placements offer valuable learning experiences for student nurses.
• Exposure to practice nursing can positively influence career decisions.
• Such initiatives are vital for developing a future primary care nursing workforce.