Clinical experiences of final-year nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-synthesis

Objectives: This systematic review aimed to qualitatively synthesise existing literature to examine the clinical nursing experiences of final-year nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide recommendations for the effective management of clinical placement of nursing students. Design: A qualitative systematic review was conducted and reported following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines. Data sources: Five electronic databases were searched and qualitative studies were included for analysis if they focussed on the clinical nursing experiences of final-year nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Review methods: Data synthesis was conducted by extracting all findings, developing categories, and producing synthesised findings. Results: Four synthesised findings were concluded: 1) facing the unknown and willingness to help, 2) challenging the clinical environment, 3) transition improving professional identity, and 4) finding ways out of the pandemic. Conclusions: The transition of nursing students to clinical nursing practice during the pandemic is a personally and professionally challenging process, while nursing students try to adapt to the changing clinical environment and enhance their professional identity. Nursing managers and health policymakers should acknowledge the challenges encountered by nursing students during the pandemic and support the professional growth of future nursing teams by providing high-quality supervision.