Resilience to care: a systematic review and meta-synthesis of the qualitative literature concerning the experiences of student nurses in adult hospital settings in the UK.

Summary: Becoming a nurse requires more than just book smarts; it requires emotional armor. A review of twenty years of research into UK nursing students' experiences reveals a "sink or swim" reality. While many students find nurturing environments during their hospital placements, a significant number face harsh, unsupportive cultures that have persisted for decades. This chronic stress forces students to develop "resilience" just to survive. Unfortunately, those who cannot cope with the negative atmosphere often drop out, fueling a cycle of attrition that hurts the healthcare system. The study suggests that educators must proactively support students to break this cycle.