Abstract
Background: Clinical placement is of central importance to nursing education. The clinical environment provides a setting where nursing students develop their knowledge, skills, values, and attitudes of a nurse. Clinical placement should provide the students with the best possible learning outcome. But there is an interplay of different factors that could affect or influence their learning.
Aim/Purpose: The aim of this review is to explore the literature about the experiences of nursing students in clinical practice and how these experiences have impacted their learning.
Methods: An integrative review was conducted. Four online databases namely Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, PsychINFO and CINAHL were searched. The included studies were appraised by using the CASP checklist for qualitative studies. The data were analysed using thematic synthesis as outlined by Thomas and Harden.
Significance: The information from this review may benefit nursing students to help them prepare and be aware of what to expect when they go on clinical placements. This review will also inform educational institutions and preceptors and help them develop strategies that would support and provide the students with an environment that is conducive to learning.
Conclusion: Student nurses' experiences in clinical placement that provide an environment that is conducive to learning are valued as these will have a positive impact on their learning. But alongside these positive experiences are challenges and obstacles that can be overwhelming for some resulting in quitting the training which is evident in the findings of this review. With the support of the staff, family and peers, the students can build resilience and confidence that can help them overcome these challenges.