Undergraduate students' perspectives on pursuing a career in mental health nursing following practicum experience

Abstract

Aims and objectives The purpose of this study was to explore how undergraduate students perceive and make decisions regarding mental health nursing as a career following completion of an inpatient mental health practicum. Background Among nursing students, mental health is consistently perceived as the least desirable nursing career path. However, evidence to explain why this is the case remains limited, with a lack of research exploring students' experiences of mental health settings and how these experiences influence their perceptions of a mental health nursing career. This knowledge gap limits strategies to support nurses' selection of mental health nursing as a career path, contributing to a global shortage of mental health nurses. Design This study used a qualitative narrative inquiry design. Methods In‐depth interviews (N = 15) were conducted with undergraduate nursing students to explore their experiences of mental health practicums. Participants had all completed a 6‐week practicum in inpatient mental health settings in urban hospitals. Reporting follows COREQ guidelines. Results Nursing students' decisions to not choose a career in mental health nursing were influenced by negative practicum experiences, including the institutional environments of the inpatient mental health settings and witnessing of harmful nursing practices. These factors were identified as barriers to pursuing a career in mental health nursing. However, students expressed desire to continue to work with clients with mental health challenges and aimed to pursue nursing careers that preserve this opportunity in different healthcare settings. Conclusions These findings expand upon existing literature that frequently positions nursing students as “uninterested” in mental health nursing and offers insights that can contribute to addressing global mental health nursing shortages. Relevance to clinical practice This study highlights the need for mental health nurses, nursing leaders, and educators to recognise and respond to students' difficult experiences in the inpatient mental health setting during practicums.

‘Anyone can have a mental illness’: A qualitative inquiry of pre‐registration nursing students’ experiences of traditional mental health clinical placements

“…This attitudinal change is consistent with prior literature on the importance of positive placements in respect to students’ choice to pursue a career in the field (Happell & Gaskin 2013; Slemon et al . 2020). It does need to be acknowledged however, as Happell and Gaskin (2013) found, this will not necessarily translate into increased numbers of graduates entering the field.…”

“…Similarly, in Canada, Slemon et al . (2020) found that on mental health inpatient placement students enjoyed engaging with consumers and developing therapeutic relationships. However, they also described non‐therapeutic and unsafe staff practices which they did not want to adopt in their own practice, and which negatively affected their interest in pursuing a career in acute mental health.…”

Enfermagem Psiquiátrica, Saúde Mental e as Diretrizes Curriculares Nacionais do Curso de Graduação em Enfermagem

“…Os estudantes afastam-se da especialidade por não perceberem as competências necessárias para o trabalho de Enfermagem em saúde mental. Hildegard Peplau afirmava que conhecer e compreender a profissão e o seu fazer é um pressuposto para o cuidado do outro e consequente emancipação (40)(41) .…”

The effect of a peer education program on nursing students' beliefs toward mental illnesses and their career choices

“…), stigmatization, previous clinical practice in the psychiatric nursing area, and perceptions of theoretical preparedness were found to affect the understanding of nursing care 22 . Other factors that influence students' career decisions are the qualities of theoretical and clinical education, the institutional environment of the psychiatric clinics, behavior health‐care professionals, perceptions of working with a psychiatric patient, perspectives toward mental health care, and perceptions of psychiatric nursing 20,23–25 . In a study conducted with master's entry nursing students, students found psychiatry nursing practice valuable.…”