Emotional challenges faced by student nurses during clinical placement: A scoping review

Abstract

Background: Clinical practice is a highly valued learning opportunity to develop the appropriate techniques as student nurses. However, students are experiencing traumatic events during clinical placements without adequate emotional support. This causes emotional challenges that are difficult to manage.
Aim: To explore emotional challenges experienced by student nurses during clinical placements when exposed to traumatic events.
Method: This scoping review followed Arksey and O’Malley’s framework, using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Manual for Evidence Synthesis to extract and chart sources. Nineteen articles (2014–2024) were analysed using descriptive analysis, Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and thematic analysis.
Results: Three themes, namely, psychological resilience, emotional strains and impact on nursing education environment, and coping strategies, emerged from this scoping review. These themes and sub-themes are used to make recommendations.
Conclusion: This scoping review highlights that nursing students face significant emotional challenges, including burnout, insecurity and traumatic experiences, which affect their resilience and well-being. The findings emphasise systemic issues within clinical and academic environments, such as workload pressures, limited support and gaps in preparedness, that exacerbate emotional strain. Positive coping strategies, resilience-building interventions and supportive mentorship were linked to professional growth.
Contribution: The findings from this scoping review might assist in addressing these challenges through curriculum reform, intentional resilience and coping skills training and structured emotional support systems.