Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Nursing as a Subject and a Function

Abstract

This study, conducted at one University College in Norway, describes nursing students’ perceptions of nursing as a theoretical subject and as a function. A descriptive/explorative design was selected. Thirty students from the first year and 30 students from the third year wrote down their perceptions in response to four open-ended questions. Fifteen students from each year ( n = 30) were interviewed. A qualitative content analysis was performed. According to the results, the content of the subject of nursing encompasses various fields of knowledge; therefore, the subject of nursing is unclear. The findings indicate that the third-year students either did not gain new insights on the subject or were still unable to verbalize such insights, contrary to the expectations expressed in the curriculum. Regarding the functions of nursing, the first-year students believed there is considerable report writing, which affected their nursing care, but the third-year students believed nurses are obliged to lead and plan nursing care. The students’ perceptions of the content of the subject of nursing related only in part to professional functions, both at the beginning and end of their nursing education.

A Comparative Study of Assessment Grading and Nursing Students’ Perceptions of Quality in Sessional and Tenured Teachers

“…It is known that there are differences in students’ perceptions as they progress through the nursing program. Granum (2004) found that in contrast to 1st‐year students, who were more focused on knowledge related to practical procedures for direct patient care activities, 3rd‐year students were more focused on a holistic approach of patient care, which included a need to lead and plan nursing care of their patients. Hence, Year 3 students’ higher levels of teaching satisfaction with may be due to their valuing a broader and more professional outlook of nursing knowledge, and tenured staff were those who portrayed these qualities.…”

Nursing students’ perceptions of the importance of caring behaviors

“…First year nursing students, in a study in Norway, used the word 'care' as they knew about it from daily life. Third year students considered nursing as a caring science which contains knowledge for practicing professional nursing (Granum 2004).…”

Student Nurses' Perceptions About Caring In Early Nursing Courses

“…Nursing students' perceptions about caring are formed and modified as they complete their courses, but their main perspective is about the same. Nursing faculty have been teaching caring mainly during students' clinical hours (Granum, 2004). Even though caring is an essential component of the nursing profession, there is little structured curriculum to guide teaching-learning activities to covey caring concepts to nursing students (Khademian & Vizeshfar, 2007).…”

“…Teaching caring to nursing students in the United States is done during clinical practice courses (Granum, 2004). Students are expected to care about their patients, but there seems to be no specific method to guide them through their learning.…”

“…In a qualitative study, Turkish students perceived caring as professional/helping relationship and technical competency {Khademian & Vizeshfar 2007). A study d<?ne in Norway used the word "care" as students knew about it from daily life; third year students considered nursing as a caring science containing knowledge for the practice of professional nursing (Granum, 2004).…”