Author Identifier
Richard Lakeman: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4304-5431
Document Type
Journal Article
Publication Title
International Journal of Mental Health Nursing
Publisher
Wiley
School
School of Nursing and Midwifery
Abstract
Clinical placements form an integral and important part of preregistration nursing student learning. The theory–practice gap has been identified as problematic, with clinical experience being a key strategy to address this. Despite this, the perceptions of nurse academics teaching preregistration mental health nursing regarding clinical placements have not been widely explored. To garner perspectives and experiences of mental health clinical placements from nurse academics teaching mental health nursing to preregistration nursing students. A descriptive qualitative study involving 19 nurse academics from 13 metropolitan and regional Australian universities, who were involved in the design and delivery of preregistration mental health nursing content. Data were analysed thematically. The study adhered to the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Participants reported that inappropriate clinical placements generate negative student experiences. Furthermore, mental health placements in nonspecialist settings such as medical-surgical or aged care compromised student learning and posed a barrier to linking theory to practice. Increasing meaningful and appropriate mental health clinical placements in nurse education requires investment and support from multiple stakeholders. Nurse academics are crucial stakeholders in terms of understanding the impact of mental health clinical placements. Appropriate mental health clinical placements are central to effective comprehensive nurse education. Academics teaching mental health in preregistration curricula are significant stakeholders, and their informed perceptions are central to compel change.
DOI
10.1111/inm.13453
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Moxham, L., Foster, K., Happell, B., Lakeman, R., Hazelton, M., & Hurley, J. (2024). ‘Clinical is the pinnacle’: Nurse academics' perspectives and opinions of their students undertaking mental health clinical placements. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.13453