Learning pathways in contemporary primary care settings – Student nurses’s views

Workforce planning to address nursing supply along with curriculum change affecting practice placements has acted as key drivers shaping learning resources for student nurses within Aberdeen Community Health Partnership. As part of their learning, students are afforded the opportunity to visit a range of contemporary primary care settings such as public health, specialist nurses and NHS 24 on what are known as ‘pathway experiences’. This research adopted a qualitative approach using focus group interviews to discover students’ learning as a result of this initiative. Two main themes emerged, these being ‘Healthcare contexts’ and ‘Nursing know-how’. Students developed a greater awareness and understanding about the delivery of healthcare in primary care settings and they expanded their nursing knowledge and skills. While students valued the experience, they also thought pathways fragmented their time at the base placement and detracted from gaining the practical nursing skills they considered of prime importance in their transit towards qualifying and working within a clinical setting. Implications for the future development of the pathway initiative are discussed.