¹ Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Peter Hodgkinson Centre, Greetwell Road, Lincoln, LN2 5UA, England, UK, emily.scott22@nhs.net

² School of Health and Social Care, University of Lincoln, Brayford Pool, Lincoln, LN6 7TS, England, UK, rkane@lincoln.ac.uk

Abstract 

Background: As the population ages, and people live longer, the prevalence of dementia is set to rise. This will increase pressure on health services, meaning nurses must be sufficiently equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to provide good quality care to this patient group. The objective was to explore how experience of caring for people with dementia influences the attitudes and perceptions of third year student nurses.

Methods: Third year student nurses enrolled onto a BSc Nursing (Adult) undergraduate pre-registration programme. Data were collected using focus group methodology and analysed using the ‘Framework’ method.

Results: The attitudes and perceptions of student nurses were mainly positive, but they reported observing stigmatising and negative attitudes from others, including healthcare professionals. Respondents reported a variety of experiences, both clinical and theoretical, where they had cared for people with dementia, but felt that at times these experiences were insufficient to develop their skills. The students felt their learning needs revolved around managing the complex behavioural and psychological symptoms in those suffering with dementia, which they felt, could best be accomplished through practice-based learning.

Conclusions: In this study, students reported perceived gaps in both theory and practice in their individual experience of nurse education on dementia. It highlighted the need for fundamental skills in dementia care to be taught early in their educational programme and the need for more practice-based experiences. This study provides some insight into the effects positive experiences of caring for those with dementia care can have on the attitudes of nursing students and the confidence they have in their skills and knowledge of delivering care to this client group.