Nursing students' initial clinical experience: a phenomenological study.

Nursing students have revealed that one of the most anxiety-producing aspects of their clinical experience is the initial clinical experience. In order to help students through their initial clinical experience, faculty must first understand more fully the meaning of this experience for nursing students. A phenomenological study was conducted to explore the lived experience of nursing students' first clinical experience. Eighteen undergraduate nursing students described in writing an experience they had during their first day of clinical. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Six theme clusters emerged: pervading anxiety, feeling abandoned, encountering reality shock, envisioning self as incompetent, doubting choices, and uplifting consequences. Implications for nurse educators are addressed.