Nursing Students' First Placement: Peripherality and Marginality Within the Community of Practice

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Clinical Placements
• Communities of Practice

Background:

• First clinical placements significantly influence nursing students' educational journeys.
• Placement experiences can be a critical factor in nursing education program retention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of nursing students during their initial clinical placements.
• To understand how the concept of 'communities of practice' shapes these experiences.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving 17 nursing students at a Scottish university.
• Data collected via semistructured interviews and focus groups.
• Analysis employed deductive content analysis through the lens of communities of practice.

Main Results:

• Students' peripheral participation in clinical settings can foster learning but also risks marginalization.
• Marginalization can negatively impact the development of nursing student identity.
• Mentors and liaison lecturers play a crucial role in facilitating student integration into practice communities.

Conclusions:

• Peripherality and marginality experiences offer insights for improving student support during first placements.
• Practice settings and universities can enhance preparation and support mechanisms for nursing students.