Fostering maturity for senior nursing students: A pre-graduation clinical placement

Background: There is considerable literature on graduates' role transition to registered nurse from the employer's perspective. Few studies have discussed issues and strategies related to nursing students' preparedness. In response to the Bachelor of Nursing (Honours) senior nursing students' needs in terms of role transition, a pre-graduation clinical placement (PGCP) was implemented. Aim: The aim of this paper is to report the learning experiences and outcomes of the PGCP. Methods: Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. All students (n = 37) and preceptors (n = 33) involved in the PGCP consented to participate in summer 2002. The data included: students' and preceptors' appraisal of pre- and post-Inventory for Nursing Competencies (INC), students' formative and summative reflective journals, and post-PGCP focus group interviews. Paired t-tests were done to compare students' and preceptors' pre- and post-INC scores, and thematic analyses were carried out for qualitative data. Results: There were statistically significant improvements in students' INC. Three themes - learning to work with ward nurses and preceptors, learning total aspects of care, and acting as RNs - were revealed. Conclusion: The success of the PGCP demonstrates the promising outcome of a long consolidating clinical block prior to graduation in fostering maturity for role transition.