A qualitative exploration of the factors which influence rural nursing and midwifery placement experience: Benefits and challenges identified by students and health service staff

Abstract

Background: Positive rural clinical experiences strongly correlate with future rural health career intention. It is therefore important to understand the factors which contribute to positive rural clinical placement experiences.Aims: To understand the benefits and challenges of rural nursing and midwifery placements for students, and to explore factors which influence positive clinical placement experiences.Methods: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken to explore the experiences and perspectives of nursing and midwifery students (n=17) and staff working at health services where students are placed (n=36). Data were subject to thematic analysis.Results: Five themes were identified: variety of experiences in a rural health context; supervision and support; engaging with a rural community; placement type and duration influence on rural placement experience; and inspiring, reaffirming or challenging future rural career intentions. Conclusion:This study reiterates the importance of ensuring that students are actively engaged and supported during rural clinical placements to encourage students to consider future rural career pathways. The findings highlight the important role of education providers and health services in supporting student placement experiences to enable positive rural career intentions.

The impact of rural nursing and midwifery clinical placements from the perspective of health service staff

“…Students who are satisfied with their clinical placement experiences are more likely to indicate intention to practice in a rural setting than those who have had a negative experience 2,5,9 . There is a growing body of literature regarding the factors which contribute to positive rural placement experiences for health students 2,5,9–11 . Factors include adequate preparation for placement; diversity of rural health experiences; immersion in rural life; support from academic and placement provider staff; placement supervision; and interaction with other students.…”

“…2,5,9 There is a growing body of literature regarding the factors which contribute to positive rural placement experiences for health students. 2,5,[9][10][11] Factors include adequate preparation for placement; diversity of rural health experiences; immersion in rural life; support from academic and placement provider staff; placement supervision; and interaction with other students. Fatima et al 5 identified that social isolation is often a challenge encountered by students during rural placements, which may be a greater challenge for longer placements.…”