Background: Pre-registration nursing students are traditionally allocated clinical placements in aged care early in their degree, focus on fundamental care skills, and may be paired with care staff more than registered nurses. This approach has influenced misinformation of the complexity of the nursing role, and negative perceptions regarding potential future career trajectories (Rayner et al 2023).
Aim: The Clinical Placement with Older People program (CPOP) was developed to support later year nursing students to engage with the gerontological nursing work undertaken by registered nurses. The CPOP prepares clinical facilitators with an evidence-based mentorship program, the Gerontological Nursing Competencies (Traynor et al 2024). Students work alongside a registered nurse for the duration of their placement (2-4 weeks), completing a reflective workbook to support expanding scope of practice and facilitate engagement with staff. The clinical placement occurred in both residential and non-residential settings, recognising that older people are everywhere.
Method: Mixed method participatory action research design was used that incorporated participant pre- and post-surveys, semi-structured interviews, and qualitative analysis of the reflective workbooks. Nursing students, their clinical facilitators and industry partners were invited to participate.
Findings: CPOP is increasing the accessibility and visibility of expert gerontological nursing care for student nurses, which is crucial to improving the broader public understanding and valuing of the RN role. Facilitators, students and industry partners are recognising gerontological nursing as a specialty in response to the program. These workforce developments are essential to supporting the aged care reform, making registered nursing work visible and admirable.