Supporting neurodivergent nursing students in their practice placements

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Neurodiversity
• Inclusive Learning Environments

Background:

• Neurodivergent conditions (autism, ADHD, dyslexia, etc.) are common among nursing students.
• Practice assessors and supervisors frequently encounter neurodivergent students requiring support.
• Understanding the strengths and challenges of neurodivergent students is crucial for effective mentorship.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the valuable contributions of neurodivergent nursing students.
• To identify potential challenges faced by neurodivergent students in practice settings.
• To provide guidance for creating neuro-inclusive learning environments and supporting student success.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and expert consensus on supporting neurodivergent learners in healthcare education.
• Analysis of common strengths and challenges experienced by neurodivergent nursing students.
• Development of strategies for practice assessors and supervisors to foster inclusive practices.

Main Results:

• Neurodivergent students possess diverse strengths beneficial to nursing practice.
• Specific challenges may arise in practice settings requiring tailored support.
• Collaborative approaches and reasonable adjustments are key to student success.

Conclusions:

• Educators must foster neuro-inclusive environments to enable neurodivergent students to thrive.
• Proactive support and reasonable adjustments are essential for meeting student proficiencies.
• A collaborative partnership between students and educators ensures effective learning experiences.