Undergraduate nursing student experiences of their mental health clinical placement

Students often have negative experiences during their mental health clinical placement. Their evaluations show that students perceive this clinical placement as the least popular area of their practice program. In order to extend our knowledge and to develop this part of the general nurse`s education it seems important to study student`s opinions and experiences more closely. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the student`s experiences during their mental health clinical placement. The overall picture shows that the respondents were satisfied with their clinical placement. The most problematic area found in this study was in the communication between University college and the mentors. According to the mentors, the students` negative attitude is related to the fact that teachers allowed and supported the negative attitude is related to the fact that teachers allowed and supported the circulation of false rumours about the ards. Therefore, the maintenance of teachers`, mentors`, and students` social conventions is essential for creating an atmosphere which facilitates learning.