Aim and objective: This study was carried out to explore the experiences of third-year student nurses’ learning whilst on placement within the clinical setting. The findings will be used tomsupport the learning experiences of student nurses whilst undertaking the practical component of the pre-registration nursing programme within a small district hospital. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted within the philosophical underpinnings of hermeneutic phenomenology due to its concern with the human lived experience. A purposive sample was recruited and included in the results. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and analysed following Braun and Clarke’s (2006) 6-stage analysis. Findings: Key findings were identified as influencers to the student learning experience whilst in practice. These were categorised into the following themes: the learning environment, feeling respected and accepted, work versus learning and not belonging. Conclusion: Students’ experience of learning and their well-being can be significantly affected when they are left
feeling as though they do not belong or are not part of a Community of Practice. There is a need for a greater emphasis on assessors and supervisors in welcoming students into the placements Communities of Practice.
