The experiences of student nurses on placements with practice nurses: A pilot study

• Finding sufficient appropriate practice placements for student nurses is a global issue.
• A pilot project was undertaken to provide student nurse placements in GP surgeries.
• An evaluation study showed that students engaged well with the GP placements and valued the experience.
• Findings showed students gained a number of clinical and decision-making skills in the placement.
• Funding arrangements for GPs to offer placements are now in place to ensure sustainability of the placements.

To prepare the registered nurse of tomorrow in the United Kingdom (UK) to care for patients in general practice (GP)-led services, today's student nurses need to have the opportunity to experience placements with practice nurses to enable them to make positive career choices to become practice nurses in the future. The role of the practice nurse is described in the article. As a pilot project, seventeen students undertook placements with practice nurses in one of seven GP practices selected by the London GP Deanery and the university as having fulfilled the criteria to support student nurses in placements. A mentorship preparation programme was provided to prepare practice nurses for mentoring these students. An evaluation study was undertaken of this pilot project. Findings showed that students were highly positive about the experience; the majority rated this placement as being as good as or better than previous placement experiences. The evaluation also explored the impact on student learning and the value that the placement had. There was a positive impact on students' knowledge and skills in certain clinical areas especially related to health promotion. Students also indicated that they would like to have additional placements with practice nurses and would consider a career as a practice nurse in the future.