Building Connections in Aged Care: Developing Support Structures for Student Nurses on Placement in Residential Care: Report on Stage Two, SNM Aged Care Report No.3

Abstract

A key focus of the Building Connections in Aged Care project was to facilitate the development of quality clinical placements in aged care as a strategy to positively influence student attitudes to working in the sector. Consistent with the recommendations the outlined in the Stage 1 project report, Stage 2 of the project implemented a number of strategies to: address problems with the orientation of students to the RACFs; develop resources to support students in practice, and; promote a greater degree of continuity between students and their preceptors. The implementation of these strategies and associated changes had a major impact, which was no more obvious than the positive change in student attitude to working in the sector. The proejct findings documented in the Stage 2 report demonstrate that the implementation of the Stage 1 recommendations had a significant positive impact on students (n=20) stated career intentions. On commencement 55% of students indicated they would possibly not/definitely not have an interest in working in aged care following graduation. However, at the end of their first week in practice, following orientation to the facilities, 80% of students indicated a possible/definite interest in working in aged care following graduation. Moreover, at the completion of the practicum 90% of students indicated a possible/definite interest in working in aged care following graduation. The evaluation also demonstrated a threefold decrease in the number of students who held definite views that they would not work in aged care following graduation. The findings also demonstrated that in the context of a supportive environment, the presence of students provides a significant impetus for aged care nurses involvement in professional development activities.