Facilitating international students learning during placements: the experiences of practice assessors and practice supervisors

Background There are increasing numbers of international students applying for preregistration nursing courses in the UK. Encouraging overseas students to study nursing in the UK has potential benefits for the profession, but practice assessors and practice supervisors may face challenges when supporting international students during placements.

Aim To explore the experiences of practice assessors and practice supervisors in facilitating international preregistration nursing students’ learning during placements.

Method A qualitative interpretive research method was used. Data from ten semi-structured interviews undertaken in one hospital in an acute NHS trust were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and interpretive approaches.

Findings Three overarching themes emerged: communication, support and collaboration. Participants identified barriers related to language and culture and expressed a desire for additional information about students’ background before the start of placements. Solutions included drawing from the expertise of colleagues with similar backgrounds to those of students, using buddying and creating peer support groups.

Conclusion Effective collaboration between universities and practice placement providers is needed to develop interventions that can support practice assessors and practice supervisors to enhance international students’ learning experiences.