The financial impact of mandatory unpaid placements on nursing, midwifery and health-care university students: A scoping review

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:	Nurse Education in Practice vol. 86 (Jul 2025), p. 104410
Autor principal:	Winchester, Tiffany
Otros Autores:	de Gracia, Ma Regina, Missen, Karen, Allen, Louise, Muduwa, Miriam, Peel, Rebecca
Publicado:	Elsevier Limited
Materias:	United Kingdom > UK Australia Databases Retention Attrition Midwifery Professional development Policy making Physical therapy University students Unpaid Well being College students Student retention Midwives Learning Higher education Nursing education Workforce Side effects Nursing Professions Occupational therapy Health care Professional training Mental health Program implementation Nurses Reforms Health services Reports Colleges & universities Learning Activities Postsecondary Education On the Job Training Experiential Learning Attrition (Research Studies) Academic Achievement Student Attrition Expenditures Language Proficiency Physical Health Obstetrics Database Management Systems School Holding Power Authentic Learning Nursing Students Meta Analysis Family Income Opportunities Integrated Activities Poverty
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Descripción
Resumen:	Aim This scoping review examines the challenges that university students face due to mandatory unpaid placements, with a focus on nursing, midwifery and healthcare programs. Background While these placements are essential for professional training and provide valuable real-world experience, they often impose significant financial burdens—particularly for students unable to balance paid work alongside their placement commitments. Design and Methods A scoping review was conducted to synthesise the literature between January 2014 and June 2024. A search was conducted in eight databases (ERIC (EBSCO), Academic Search Complete, Web of Science, MEDLINE, PubMed, Cochrane CINAHL, PsychINFO and Sportdiscus). Reports were screened by three reviewers. Data were then extracted and thematically analysed by two other authors. Results Nine papers met inclusion/exclusion criteria (three qualitative reports, three quantitative reports and three opinion pieces). The findings reveal that mandatory unpaid placements impose a significant financial burden on healthcare students, especially mature-aged Australian students, which can negatively contribute to their mental health and well-being and lead to student attrition. Conclusions Financial hardships due to mandatory unpaid placements cause adverse effects on students’ mental health and well-being, and student retention. The review identifies key research gaps, including research on students in regional universities and the impact of healthcare student retention and the longer-term future of the healthcare workforce. Changes to policy and practice are recommended, including establishing targeted financial assistance programs, implementing flexible academic structures and comprehensive policy reforms to address the financial, emotional and professional challenges students face in mandatory unpaid placements.
ISSN:	1471-5953 1873-5223
DOI:	10.1016/j.nepr.2025.104410
Fuente:	Sociology Database