Undergraduate Nursing Students Experience in COVID-19 Vaccination Centres

Abstract

Aim: To explore the undergraduate nursing student’s experience of placement in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres in South-Western Sydney. Design: Observational cross-sectional study. Methods: Undergraduate nursing students who undertook clinical placements in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres in a major Sydney Local Health District were invited to participate in the study. Data was collected via surveys containing placement evaluation tool—19-items (rated on a 5-point agreement scale) and one global satisfaction rating (a 10-point scale). The survey also included three open-ended questions regarding positive and negative impacts of the placement in the Vaccination Centres. Quantitative data from the surveys were analysed descriptively using SPSS software. The responses to the open-ended question were analysed using a thematic analysis approach. Results: A total of fifty-two undergraduate nursing students responded to the survey. A variation in the overall satisfaction with the placement was observed among students. Only 44% scored their experience above 5 (10-point scale). Data obtained from the open-ended survey questions reflect the following themes: learning experience, challenges, potential opportunities for clinical practice and suggestions for improvement. Some of the suggestions for improvement to future placements were more in-service training, rotation through different tasks and advertising the sort of skills that students will be offered to learn during placement. Conclusions: The study outcome provides an insight into the undergraduate nursing student’s placement experience in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres and highlights the areas for improvement to further enhance the student’s placement experience when serving at the Vaccination Centres. Implications for the profession and/or patient care : This study provides insight into the undergraduate nursing student’s placement experience in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres. The findings of this study will assist in improving the nursing students’ experience when working in similar settings by making appropriate modifications to the processes and procedures. Impact: Clinical placement is an essential requirement for nursing students’ professional development and COVID-19 pandemic is reported to have a noticeable impact on their placement experience. There is limited information on the undergraduate nursing student’s placement experience in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres. This study was designed to explore the undergraduate nursing student’s experience of placement in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres. The findings from the study highlight challenges encountered by the students and the areas for improvement to enhance the students’ experience for future workforce planning and education and training arrangements. Reporting Method: This study adheres to “The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology Statement: Guidelines for Reporting Observational Studies” from the Equator network. Patient or Public Contribution: Participants were undergraduate nursing students who undertook clinical placements in the COVID-19 Vaccination Centres in South-Western Sydney Local Health District. They did not contribute to the design or conduct of the study, analysis or interpretation of the data, or in the preparation of the manuscript.