Clear ahead? Researching the experiences of late application students entering undergraduate nursing programmes

This contextual paper underscores the need to improve understanding of those who have, for whatever reason, chosen to make a late application to their programme of study. To date, a paucity of research exists in this specific field. The authors will firstly locate the experiences of late entry students within the existing body of literature on the first year experience, before honing in on the unique implications this has for students within nursing. Those on nursing programmes are not only required to be skilled and diligent students, but also competent healthcare professionals acting within a code of conduct. The paper will then outline the methodology and aims of an action research project being undertaken at Glasgow Caledonian University, and describe emergent themes from the first phase of the research.