Challenges observed by nursing students when conducting pre-professional internships

Abstract

Objective: to identify the main challenges observed during pre-professional internships by the Nursing Degree students from the Universidad Nacional del Comahue, Río Negro, Argentine Patagonia. Methodology: a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study conducted on Nursing Degree students. Data were collected through an online self-administered questionnaire, created and implemented by the teacher researchers of this study. The sociodemographic variables allowing to characterize students were determined; other variables were also used which allowed to identify the main challenges observed by students during their pre-professional internships.

Results: the sociodemographic variables showed a prevalence of the female gender (80%) with 23 years as their average age. Among the main challenges for insertion in pre-professional internship, students mentioned their fear to conduct their internship in front of the teacher (87% of the participants), causing harm to the patient (83%), insecurity and lack of knowledge when performing nursing care (78% in both matters), lack of reading and understanding the materials provided by the university, lack of simulation cabinet and physical room for practices. On the other hand, they showed great interest in their internship and good predisposition by patients and relatives in its completion. Conclusions: the study demonstrated the challenges observed by the students in pre-professional internships, and their importance. It also acknowledged that these internships generated a great level of stress.