Effective learning about the concept of pain from a perioperative clinical rotation.

One of the major concepts that permeates all of nursing practice is the assessment and treatment of pain. Although the concept is simple in statement, its practice has proven to be difficult for seasoned nurses for a variety of reasons. New graduate nurses may have particular difficulty because of their lack of experience with pain. Forty-nine baccalaureate students provided qualitative statements about patients' pain after participating in a 6- to 8-week perioperative clinical rotation. Findings from this study show how the perioperative setting can enhance student nurses' understanding of pain and promote more effective and proactive pain management interventions.