I found out the hard way what a difference clinical placements can make in shaping nursing students’ perception of the health environment.
My most recent placement was transformative, especially when viewed through the lens of Tanner’s clinical judgement model1 which considers the context and environment nurses practise in.
This reflection helped me understand how my experiences, both positive and negative, contributed to my evolving professional identity — and clarified the importance of team work at a workplace.
‘Dread’ of working in hospitals
Before starting this particular placement, I felt a deep sense of dread about working in hospitals. During a previous placement, I had encountered a hospital environment that felt cold, fragmented, and overwhelming. The team dynamics were strained, communication felt hierarchical and I often felt invisible and unsupported, like I didn’t belong.
I noticed that I spent most days just trying to get through, counting down until it was over. These experiences led me to question whether I belonged in hospital nursing at all. I left that placement disheartened, convinced that hospitals were not for me.
‘I was greeted warmly, introduced to the team, and asked about my goals — small gestures that immediately made me feel welcome and valued.’
However, from the very first day of my recent placement, I noticed a stark contrast to my previous experience.
I was greeted warmly, introduced to the team, and asked about my goals — small gestures that immediately made me feel welcome and valued.
The team, including nurses, support workers, doctors and allied health staff, communicated openly and respectfully, collaborating with genuine mutual support. There was no visible power imbalance, and everyone’s input was acknowledged and appreciated.
These interactions didn’t just boost my confidence they also positively influenced patient outcomes and lifted the morale of the whole team. It was a powerful reminder of how inclusive, respectful environments can transform both care and learning.
As the days went on, I began to feel the impact of this positive team culture on my own learning and wellbeing. I felt psychologically safe to ask questions, make mistakes, and reflect openly. I realised that my enjoyment of the placement wasn’t just about the clinical tasks or patient interactions, but about the environment created by the team.
One moment that stood out was when the nurse coordinator asked me what I’d like to focus on that week and then adjusted the shift plan so I could observe a multidisciplinary team meeting.
It showed me that leadership here wasn’t about control, it was about coordination, inclusion, and mentorship.
Calm collaboration in the face of challenges
I also noticed how the team handled challenges. When a patient became distressed, staff responded calmly and collaboratively. One nurse led the de-escalation while others supported by clearing the area and offering reassurance.
What impressed me most was that even if the patient wasn’t assigned to a particular nurse, they still stepped in to help. No one ignored patients just because they weren’t theirs. There was no blame, no isolation, just shared responsibility.
What also made a big difference was how the team included student nurses in casual conversations. They’d ask about our day, share a laugh, or explain things without making us feel like outsiders. These small acts helped ease the tension and made the placement feel safe, supportive, and genuinely welcoming.
It taught me that great care comes from shared responsibility, mutual respect, and a strong sense of team.
‘When everyone is treated as an equal, regardless of their role or experience, it creates a space where care improves and people thrive.’
In response to this environment, I found myself becoming more engaged and confident. I began looking forward to my shifts, initiating conversations with patients and staff and offering help wherever I could.
I also responded by adjusting my mindset. I stopped seeing hospital work as inherently stressful and started viewing it as a space for growth, when the team culture is healthy. I realised that my previous discomfort wasn’t about the hospital setting itself, but about the lack of support and cohesion in that team.
As I settled into this new environment, I also began to reflect on my own role within the team. I understood that being a good team member goes beyond clinical skills — it involves emotional intelligence, clear communication and a genuine willingness to support others.
Thriving not just surviving
I realised I was no longer just surviving the placement; I was thriving in it. The supportive environment empowered me to grow both as a nurse and as a collaborative team member.
As I reflect on this placement, I realise how it significantly shifted my understanding of what makes a hospital environment positive or negative.
I learned that the quality of a clinical environment isn’t defined solely by its physical setting or workload, but is shaped by the people within it. It’s the communication, the shared values and the way staff treat each other that truly matter.
Teamwork in nursing is not optional, it’s the foundation. When everyone is treated as an equal, regardless of their role or experience, it creates a space where care improves and people thrive — including students like me.
Leadership ‘visible but not dominating’
I also reflected on the role of leadership.
At my placement, leadership was visible but not dominating. Coordinators listened, delegated fairly and acknowledged everyone’s contributions. This created a sense of balance and mutual respect. I didn’t feel like just a student, I felt like a valued part of the team.
‘I no longer fear the hospital setting. Instead, I seek out environments where teamwork is prioritised.’
Another key reflection is how this placement supported my learning.
Because I felt safe and supported, I was able to focus on developing clinical skills, asking questions, and making connections between theory and practice. I wasn’t distracted by interpersonal stress or fear of judgment.
By noticing the difference in team dynamics, interpreting their impact, responding with renewed engagement and reflecting on the lessons learned, I’ve come to see hospital nursing in a new light.
I no longer fear the hospital setting. Instead, I seek out environments where teamwork is prioritised — and aim to contribute to that culture myself.
This placement showed me that a strong, supportive team is key to good, compassionate care. That understanding has reshaped how I see nursing and the kind of nurse I want to become.
See also: Emotional fatigue or emotional growth — clinical placement key to nursing identity
- Elan Mary Biju is a Wellington- based nursing student whose experiences in diverse clinical settings have shaped her interest in compassionate team work and positive workplace culture. This article was adapted from a reflection as part of her course work.
Reference
- Tanner, C. (2006). Thinking like a nurse: a research-based model of clinical judgement in nursing. Journal of Nursing Education, 45(6), 204-211.