Clinical education of nursing students with learning difficulties: An integrative review (part 1)

Schools of Nursing have witnessed an increase in the number of nursing students who struggle with learning difficulties. Support and accommodations are available in academic settings. Because nursing is a practice profession students also learn in clinical settings, which may not have similar support and accommodations. The compatibility of the clinical setting for the education of students with learning difficulties has not been studied. Staff nurses responsible for the clinical education of students and new nurses receive little preparation for their role as educator, and may not feel supported to meet the needs of those with learning difficulties. This is part one in a series of articles about the clinical education of nursing students with learning difficulties. This paper provides a framework and literature review for the development of a study (part 2) exploring the issue from the perspective of the nurse preceptors who educate students and new graduates with learning difficulties. •There is an increase in the number of students in school of nursing with learning difficulties.•The literature on nursing students with learning difficulties can be understood from the perspectives of nursing schools, faculty, and students.•Nurse educators have a role in preparing the learning environments for students with learning difficulties.