Developing clinical placements for nursing students in general practice: a survey of the views of practice nurses

Background:
British general practices historically have not
offered practice placements within the pre-registration
nursing curricula. This study explored the
views of practice nurses (PN’s) within one inner city
Primary Care Trust (PCT) about their current/future
role in providing mentorship for pre-qualifying
nursing students and the potential for further
developing the role of general practice placements
within pre-registration nursing curricula.
Aims:
The overall aim of this survey was to enhance the
local evidence-base for universities to develop
practice placements for pre-qualifying student
nurses within the general practice setting.
Methods:
A questionnaire of open/closed items was
developed from a literature review and a pilot
study using three practice nurse forums. Data
was collected from a purposive sample of PN’s.
Partnership work between key stakeholders within
a recently established community-based clinical
placements working group addressed political
problems and stakeholder disputes.
Results:
Qualitative/quantitative analyses were undertaken
on the data by a panel of key stakeholders. 38
completed questionnaires were received achieving
a 97% response rate. The sample mostly reported
positive views of the mentorship role and of the
potential in general practice to place students.
Concerns were expressed about mentorship
preparation, time constraints and the attitudes of
general practice physicians.
Discussion:
Findings are discussed in relation to the study
limitations; positive responses from the sample
for developing the mentorship role; the perceived
constraints in the general practice environment for
education/training; the local/national context for
pre-qualifying practice placements and the particular
range of norms/values pervading general practice that
appear incompatible with the values of a ‘reformed’
and ‘modernized’ National Health Service.
Recommendations:
Recommendations are made in respect of the nature
of mentorship preparation for practice nurses and
the potential future yet uncertain role for PCT’s and
general practices in providing placements within
U.K. pre-qualifying nursing curricula.