‘Is This the Workplace for Me?’ A Qualitative Study of Nursing Students' Construction of Workplace Attractiveness in Clinical Placement
Åsa Tjulin, Julia Cederlund, Åsa Chaikiat Ståhl, Emma Brulin, Bodil J. Landstad, Maritha Jacobsson, Maria Härgestam, Ann RudmanABSTRACT
Aim
To explore how nursing students perceive and construct the notion of workplace attractiveness in healthcare during clinical placements.
Design
Qualitative explorative research design.
Method
Thirteen final‐year undergraduate nursing students from four Swedish universities participated in seven semi‐structured interview sessions between February and May 2025: three individual interviews and four small‐group interviews involving two to three participants. An interview guide, organised around main themes, directed the conversations. Interviews were digitally recorded and transcribed verbatim. Data analysis was performed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis, characterised by an iterative, flexible, and interpretive approach rooted in a constructionist epistemology.
Results
Clinical placements shaped nursing students' perceptions of workplace attractiveness, forming the basis for future career choices. The overarching theme, Looking Ahead , captured how students evaluated healthcare as a potential workplace while envisioning their professional future. Four interrelated themes emerged: Becoming —gaining confidence and identity as a nurse through hands‐on experience; Belonging —the importance of relationships and social climate for inclusion; Balancing —concerns about managing work‐life integration and sustainable conditions; and Beyond —seeking opportunities for continued growth and development. Together, these themes illustrate workplace attractiveness as relational and temporal, emerging from immediate experiences and long‐term aspirations.
Conclusions
Workplace attractiveness is a dynamic, relational process shaped by interactions between individuals and organisations, not a fixed attribute. It evolves through everyday practices, social identity, and belonging. Effective strategies must address relational and symbolic dimensions, fostering inclusion, identity formation, and meaningful participation alongside structural improvements.
Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care
Understanding workplace attractiveness as a dynamic process highlights the need for healthcare organisations to prioritise supportive onboarding, inclusive social climates, and opportunities for professional growth. Strengthening belonging, identity formation, and sustainable working conditions can enhance nurse retention, reduce turnover, and ultimately improve continuity and quality of patient care.
No Patient or Public Contribution
This study did not include patient or public involvement in its design, conduct, reporting, or dissemination since it focused on nursing students' perceptions during clinical training rather than on patient experiences.
Impact
Problem addressed: Limited understanding of how nursing students construct perceptions of workplace attractiveness during clinical placements and how these perceptions influence future career choices.
Main findings: Workplace attractiveness emerged as a dynamic, relational process shaped by five themes:
Looking Ahead
,
Becoming
,
Belonging
,
Balancing
, and
Beyond
. Clinical placements were pivotal in forming these perceptions.
Impact: The findings inform healthcare organisations, educators, and policymakers to strengthen onboarding processes, foster a sense of belonging, and promote sustainable working conditions. This can improve nurse recruitment, retention, and ultimately the quality and continuity of patient care. Highlights the of clinical placements in shaping nursing students' perceptions of workplace attractiveness, which can inform global strategies for improving nurse recruitment and retention. Introduces a relational and dynamic understanding of workplace attractiveness, emphasising identity formation, belonging, and professional growth—key factors for creating supportive and sustainable healthcare environments worldwide. Provides actionable insights for healthcare organisations and educators, encouraging inclusive onboarding, social integration, and career development opportunities to enhance workforce stability and patient care quality globally.