Evaluation of a process for allocating final placements to nursing students

Rachael Anne Mason; Debra Brackenbury; Sophie Broady; Trish Tsuro; Ros Kane

doi:10.1921/jpts.v20i3.1569

Authors

Rachael Anne Mason School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0155-4916
Debra Brackenbury Estate Consultant, Four Seasons Future Planning
Sophie Broady Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9667-4883
Trish Tsuro United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1167-1817
Ros Kane School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6926-2530

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1921/jpts.v20i3.1569

Keywords:

final practice placement, employability, transition, nurse education, graduate

Abstract

This paper reports on the implementation and evaluation of a process developed over two years, intended to aid student nurses to enhance job application writing skills and curriculum vitae development, and to provide an opportunity for students to have a choice in their final practice placement. The study aimed to explore students’ perceptions on the strengths and limitations, explore the perceived impact on application form and CV writing, and gain suggested improvements to the process to increase student experience. A cross-sectional design using online questionnaires (year one and two) and a focus group (year one) gathered quantitative and qualitative data from a volunteer sample of final year adult and mental health student nurses. The majority of participants were happy with the process and with their placement allocation. Three main themes were reported in both years; Choice, Process, and Employability skills/Readiness for employment, with the addition of a fourth in the second year; Fairness. The process allows students to develop skills in applying for jobs which they feel is beneficial for their future. Choice enables students to tailor their final experience to their career aspirations and skill development, ultimately smoothing the transition into their future positions.

Author Biographies

Rachael Anne Mason, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln

Rachael is a Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care in the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Lincoln. She is currently the programme lead for the BSc (hons) Health and Social Care degree and was previously the Placement Co-ordinator for the healthcare courses.

Debra Brackenbury, Estate Consultant, Four Seasons Future Planning

Debra registered as an adult nurse and worked on the Emergency Assessment Unit following graduation. Her career continued in a nursing home, becoming a trainer.

Sophie Broady, Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

Sophie is a Registered Mental Health Nurse and primarily works for a veteran charity as the mental health and well-being lead focusing on prevention. She continues to work across the Lincolnshire mental health NHS Trust as a mental health nurse.

Trish Tsuro, United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust

Trish is a Registered Nurse. She became a Clinical Academic Fellow during her preceptorship as a newly qualified adult nurse. She completed her final placement on ICU and on qualifying, spent two years on an acute vascular ward. She then spent 2 years on ICU during the height of the pandemic. Trish is now a Research Nurse and undertaking a MSc In Clinical Research –Delivery Pathway.

Ros Kane, School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln

Ros Kane is a Professor of Nursing and Public Health and a Registered (NMC) Adult Nurse and Nurse Educator. She also has a background in Geography, Anthropology and Medical Demography and a PhD in Public Health.