Summary
Background
There has been an increase in ethno-cultural, linguistic, and socio-demographical
diversity in students enrolling in undergraduate nursing programs. Diversity also
involves other characteristics, but little is known about how diversity impacts on
the clinical experiences of nursing students.
Aim
The aim of this review is to identify studies which describe the clinical placement
experiences of nursing students who have a broad range of diversity characteristics.
Methods
Major databases were searched and original studies published from 2003 to 30 June
2013 were eligible for inclusion. An expanded definition of diversity was used to
include characteristics such as ethnicity, language, age, religion, gender, socioeconomic
status, carer responsibilities, sexual orientation and special needs/disability.
Findings
Male gender and speaking English as a second language are diversity characteristics
associated with a less positive clinical experience. These students are also more
likely to leave their nursing program. Mature-aged students and those from ethnic
minority groups were also noted to have a less positive clinical experience and in
some cases, this also increased attrition. However, it was difficult to determine
the impact of these characteristics alone as they appeared to be linked with other
characteristics such as financial difficulties and carer responsibilities in the case
of mature-aged students, and language and international student status in the case
of ethnicity.
Conclusions
Given the significant benefits associated with preparing a diverse nursing workforce,
it is an imperative to better understand the impact of diversity on nursing students
to ensure that every placement becomes a positive and valuable learning experience.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: May 01, 2014
Accepted:
March 28,
2014
Received in revised form:
March 28,
2014
Received:
December 19,
2013
Identification
Copyright
© 2014 Australian College of Nursing Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
