This phenomenological study intended to understand the meaning of coming to be a nursing student, during the first clinical trial in a hospital, exploring such experience from the student's perspective. The study sample was comprised of 17 undergraduate nursing students which revealed through their narratives the experience of a reality shock due to precarious work conditions, permeated by feelings such as sorrow for the patients, fear and insecurity, leading to a desire to escape, resulting in divergent experiences, qualified as horrible for some and pleasant for others, whereas the role of the supervisor appears as supportive. The authors consider that this study can contribute to further reflection and possible intervention on part of nursing instructors, as well as to foster a more authentic relationship between student and teacher.
nursing student; hospital clinical experiences; phenomenology