Understanding perceptions, attitudes and experiences of nursing students during clinical placement in primary health care settings; a scoping review.

Procter, Debbie; McCullough, Kylie; Massey, Debbie; Strickland, Karen

Abstract

Critically analyse literature on undergraduate nursing students' perceptions, attitudes and experiences during Primary Health Care (PHC) placements and identify factors influencing their satisfaction. These insights may improve educational outcomes, shape career intentions and address workforce shortages. Global nursing shortage, driven by increased demands and high attrition, impacts healthcare worldwide. Australia faces projected shortfalls of 79,473 nurses by 2035, significantly in PHC. Attributing factors include remuneration disparities, inadequate training/mentorship and limited career pathways. Strengthening the PHC nursing workforce is crucial, with undergraduate nursing students providing an important workforce pipeline. Scoping Review protocol was registered using Joanna Briggs Institute's framework for scoping review methodology, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Review's Checklist and Peer Review of Electronic Search Strategies, were applied. Grey literature was sought. Covidence facilitated article review and extraction, inductive thematic analysis identified key themes. Four key themes were developed: 1. PHC placements as a learning environment; 2. Skills development and acquisition; 3. Importance of nurse preceptor relationship; and 4. Curriculum structure and preparation. This review explores nursing students' experiences in PHC placements and factors influencing satisfaction, while highlighting gaps in optimising placements to better prepare students and strengthen the PHC workforce. Further research is needed on satisfaction, variation in experiences across PHC settings, the impact of preceptor relationships and strategies to strengthen them and stronger integration of PHC content in curricula. Addressing these gaps is essential for aligning education with workforce demands and strengthening student career intentions in PHC.

Citation

PROCTER, D., MCCULLOUGH, K., MASSEY, D. and STRICKLAND, K. 2025. Understanding perceptions, attitudes and experiences of nursing students during clinical placement in primary health care settings: a scoping review. Nurse education in practice [online], 86, article number 104434. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104434

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 18, 2025
• Online Publication Date: Jun 25, 2025
• Publication Date: Jul 31, 2025
• Deposit Date: Jun 27, 2025
• Publicly Available Date: Jul 7, 2025
• Journal: Nurse education in practice
• Print ISSN: 1471-5953
• Electronic ISSN: 1873-5223
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 86
• Article Number: 104434
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104434
• Keywords: Primary health care; Students; Preceptors; Nursing; Clinical placement; Nursing workforce; Nursing students' perceptions; Attitudes and experiences
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/2892746