Global perspectives: learning from the experiences of nursing students during the pandemic to enhance education

This research explored the lived experiences of 40 undergraduate nursing students from the UK, Canada, Australia and Gibraltar during the COVID-19 pandemic. A retrospective survey of nursing students was aimed at understanding the impact of the pandemic on nursing education, placements and student wellbeing, as well as the challenges and emotional impact students endured associated with caring for COVID-19 patients. The narratives were collected through an online questionnaire disseminated via a Twitter (X) platform on social media. The findings revealed five key themes: the impact of the pandemic on nursing education and support; the impact of the pandemic on placements and student wellbeing; the challenges and realities of caring for COVID-19 patients as a nursing student; the impact of the pandemic on the students’ education and placements; and the emotional impact of the pandemic on them. Based on these findings, evidence-based recommendations are provided for supporting nursing students worldwide during pandemics and other public health crises.