Abstract
This study explores clinical preparation (prelab) in nursing education from the student's perspective. More than half of the students surveyed (n = 296) believed prelab learning activities were important; however, they reported that prelab increases stress and decreases sleep quantity. Timing, stress, and anxiety were factors affecting student perception of prelab. The findings suggest that students receive diminishing returns on the time spent on prelab; nevertheless, prelab may enhance their learning and patient safety.