This study aimed to identify the feelings of nursing students in their first contact with patients. The Critical Incident Technique was used for data collection. Forty-one students participated in the study and answered a questionnaire with three open questions. Feelings related to the student, related to the patient and related to the course were identified, and only 36.8% of reports presented positive feelings. This study contributes to reflect on the proposed teaching plans, negative consequences and the importance of strengthening positive experiences, making students feel more confident, useful, involved and committed with the future profession.
Students, nursing; Clinical clerkship; Emotions