Nursing students’ preferences for clinical placements in residential aged care facilities

The residential aged care sector worldwide is facing difficulties with attracting and retaining nursing staff, in a climate of an ageing population with complex care needs. Nursing student experiences of clinical placements in aged care facilities shape attitudes towards working in this sector. However, there is little research about why students choose particular placement areas throughout their studies. This study examines nursing students’ preferences for clinical placements in residential aged care facilities. Data were 6,610 student comments provided as part of Bachelor of Nursing student entries in an Australian university’s Student Placement Management System (2007–2014 enrolments). Aged care was mentioned in 612 (9.3%) comments, with thematic analysis used to examine underlying reasons. Most (71%) comments related to a preference for their next placement to be located outside residential aged care, primarily due to a desire to broaden previous experience obtained in this setting. Some students referred to a placement outside aged care better suiting their career aspirations and to the aged care setting offering limited learning opportunities. A minority (15%) of comments only referred to aged care to specify facilities where they had a conflict of interest. A similar proportion (14%) related to a desire to be placed in residential aged care for the upcoming placement, often either as part of a range of specialties of interest to the student, or because aged care was perceived to offer relevant learning opportunities. The findings suggest ways to better meet the needs and desires of the future nursing workforce.