Second-year undergraduate nursing students' experiences with clinical simulation training in mental health clinical practice: A focus group study.

Aim: The aim of this focus group study was to investigate second-year undergraduate nursing students' experiences with clinical simulation training as part of their clinical practice in acute mental health care.

Background: The quality of bachelor programmes in nursing has been criticised for lacking theoretical and experiential learning in the mental health modules. Novice nurses feel unprepared to care for patients with mental health challenges and graduate nurses are reported to lack the necessary knowledge and skills to manage patients with mental health issues confidently and competently.