A study of short-term absence from work among a group of third year student nurses

The objective of the study was to investigate short-term absence (STA) taken by a group of student nurses during the 3-year training period. The amount of, reasons given for, and attitudes towards such absence were considered. The information was attained by means of a questionnaire, interviews with selected students and analysis of data from hospital records. A group of 30 student nurses, approaching the end of their training, co-operated in the study. The methods used in the study are described and the findings which emerged are described and discussed.