The process and challenges of obtaining and sustaining clinical placements for nursing and allied health students

Aims and objectives: This paper describes the process and challenges from a project that aimed to develop processes, source new placements, and place students primarily in the discipline of Nursing, but also Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Social Work, and Speech Therapy. Background: Clinical experience in health facilities is an essential element of health professional education, yet globally there is a lack of clinical placements to meet demands. Educational providers are seeking placements in non-traditional facilities, yet little has been reported on the challenges in the process of procuring clinical placements. Design: The project utilised a descriptive approach within a Quality Implementation Framework. Methods: The project was guided by the Quality Implementation Framework that included four critical steps: considerations of the host setting; structuring the implementation; supporting the implementation; and improving future applications. Results: A total of 115 new student placements were finalised across 6 health disciplines, including elderly care, non-government organisations, and general practice. Sixty-two nursing students were placed in the new placements during the project. Challenges included communication, the time-consuming nature of the process, and ‘gatekeeping’ blocks to obtaining placements. Recommendations included the importance of personal interaction in developing and maintaining relationships, and the need for clear communication processes and documentation. Potential areas for research are also given. Conclusions: There is great potential for growth in establishing new placements outside the traditional placement facilities for nursing and allied health and for expanding already existing non-hospital placements Relevance to clinical practice: Clinical professional experiences are essential to any nursing or allied health program. There is an increasing demand for, and global lack of, clinical placements for nursing and allied health students. The results provide nursing and allied health educators and managers a framework for planning clinical placement procurement, and assisting in decision-making and developing strategies and processes for practice.