Using final placements to prepare student nurses.

AIM: This qualitative phenomenological study explored the perceptions of the support received by children's student nurses on their final placement as they prepared for their role as staff nurses. METHOD: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with a purposive sample of six final-placement students. The interviews were recorded and transcribed. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the transcripts. FINDINGS: Five themes relevant to student support were identified: preparation for transition from theory into practice; the support system; specific support for children's nurses; students' perceptions of transition experiences; and improvements to assist their transition process. CONCLUSION: Key recommendations include incorporating a transition component into the nursing programme and providing structured guidelines for mentors that Follofocus on specific support for final-placement students.