International clinical placements for undergraduate students

This paper reports the findings of a study that sought to gain insight into the experiences of third year nursing students who participated in a 4-week clinical placement in an international setting. This study is different from many studies describing international placements for undergraduate nursing students as it concentrates on clinical experiences on placement. Students' reflective journals and face-to-face discussions were used to collect data, which were analysed by thematic content analysis. Categories were identified describing a focus on micro clinical-based issues that expanded over time to a focus on broader issues reflecting the 'nursing culture' of the placement. Students described both positive and negative aspects of being placed in an international clinical setting, with the concept of 'being different' emerging. Whilst the findings cannot be generalized beyond the sample, the study highlights the importance of adequate preparation and support for students on international clinical placements, with emphasis on attention to clinical detail.