Psychosocial challenges faced by student nurses while on clinical placement: A qualitative study

Abstract

Clinical placement involves the placement of students in different health institutions to engage in clinical opportunities, however. These  student nurses may face challenges while in the clinical environment. This study aimed to explore student nurses' perceptions regarding  the psychosocial challenges during clinical placement at an academic hospital in Tshwane, South Africa. This exploratory, descriptive,  qualitative study was conducted at a selected academic hospital in Tshwane. Convenience sampling was used to select student nurses.  Data were collected through focus group interviews and the sample size was 24 student nurses with two focus groups. Data were  analysed using content analysis by Tesch’s approach. This study yielded three themes: exposure to discrimination, exposure to disrespect and intimidation, and exposure to exploitation. Nurses to be conscious of the psychosocial challenges the student nurses are exposed to  during clinical placement and address them.