Undergraduate Placements in Geriatric Care Facilities: Students Gaining Experience With Challenging/Responsive Behaviors.

BACKGROUND: Undergraduate nursing students may experience challenging behaviors in residents during their clinical placement in geriatric long-term care (GLTC) facilities.

METHOD: Bachelor of Nursing students participated in an anonymous online questionnaire (n = 116).

RESULTS: The students witnessed a wide range of challenging behaviors, also referred to as responsive behaviors, in GLTC residents. The most frequent behaviors included agitation/restlessness, repetitive talk, and wandering. Although behaviors such as physical aggression and disinhibited sexual behavior were experienced less frequently, students found these behaviors the most distressing. Students felt ill-prepared to manage these behaviors, which was associated with higher levels of distress.

CONCLUSION: The students demonstrated good theoretical knowledge about responsive behaviors, but the lack of personal experience in managing such behaviors left the students feeling ill-prepared and distressed. Incorporating the opportunity to experience behaviors in a supported environment, such as in simulation, could reduce student distress and increase their sense of competency. [J Nurs Educ. 2017;56(10):623-627.].