Student nurses' experiences of the clinical field in the Limpopo Province as learning field: a phenomenological study
Year: 2009
Type: dissertation
Abstract: The research question the researcher set out to answer was: How do student nurses experience learning in the clinical field? The research question stemmed from years of experience in nursing education and a concern about student nurses' involvement in the clinical area. \n \nA phenomenological investigation was embarked upon involving principles from Wertz's (1983, 1984, 1985) empirical psychological reflection. The existential base-line for the research was stated as: Human experience results in learning. The base-line also supported the assumptions underlying the current research and are in line with phenomenological philosophy. \n \nParticipants were selected from the student nurse population in the Limpopo Province via convenience and purposive sampling. Five students from second through fourth year of training according to SANC Regulation R425 were selected. \n \nData were collected through in-depth interviews. One initial and one follow-up interview were conducted with each participant. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. \n \nData analysis at the idiographic and nomothetic levels was conducted through open coding, categorisation and constant comparative analysis. \n \nFour major themes emerged from the data namely: \n \n*\tDescriptive overview of clinical learning \n*\tThe lived experience of student nurses \n*\tMotivational factors in clinical learning \n*\tErosive factors in clinical learning \n \nAwareness figured as an all accommodating concept to theme and categories. It figured as a multi-dimensional concept that positions and orientates student nurses in the clinical setting. Awareness answers the student nurse's existential question: \nWhere am I? \n \nBased on the findings OF the current research and guided by the concept of an integrated holistic awareness, conclusions were drawn and recommendations and guidelines were formulated relating to: nursing education, nursing management, cooperation between education and services, clinical teaching, future research and theory development.
Author: Rirhandzu Norah Mongwe
Language: English
Subfield: Research and Theory
Field: Nursing
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1480401027