Preceptors and patients – the power of two: Nursing student experiences on their first acute clinical placement

Background: There are several reasons postulated for undergraduate nursing students discontinuing their studies; one being the experiences exposed to during clinical placement. This research explores and describes the experiences of second year undergraduate nursing students at one University in Victoria, Australia undertaking their first acute clinical placement. In particular, it offers insight into how these experiences influence their journey as a student and their future career in nursing. Method: A qualitative approach using a Heideggerian lens was applied to this research. Interviews were taped and transcribed verbatim to form a text of each participant's response. Analysis congruent with a hermeneutic interpretive phenomenological process was used to interpret meaning of these experiences. Results: Three main themes emerged: being overwhelmed and confronted; patients as people and perceptions of preceptors. A number of sub-themes were also expressed within the context of the three main themes. The themes allowed for more meaningful understanding of, and deeper insight into, the students' experiences when exposed to the milieu of an acute clinical placement. Conclusions: Findings inform why some students consider discontinuance of their studies and how the experience impacts on decisions about future nursing practice. This research is useful to tertiary institutions in preparing students, placement areas and staff who preceptor students with the aim of facilitating positive experiences and assisting students' motivation in future clinical placements.