Abstract
This studies aim is to focus on nursing students' challenges when they practice medication in the clinical practice.
One of the nurses' responsibilities in the clinic is administration of medication. When handling medication, the nurses made mistakes. To increase the nurses' competence and to reduce mistakes, the nursing students have to pass a flawless examination in administration of medication and arithmetic. They also have to practice medication.
When reviewing the literature, it is apparent that the students' perspective in practicing medication is little explored.
Data was collected by observing the students in different patient situations. After the observations, individual interviews were performed. The students talked about their challenges concerning medication in the clinic.
The findings revealed that the nursing students felt they were under pressure to give medication without a trained nurse present. The students did not have the necessary knowledge to follow the guidelines for medication and the necessary knowledge about the medication itself. When the nurses administrated medication, the students saw that the guidelines were not always followed.
The findings are discussed in relation to theory of learning conditions; such as experiences in the patient situation, and in developing knowledge in the area of handling medication.